We designed a low-cost underwater robotics kit for the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City to support their STEM outreach programs for middle school students. While many existing design challenges focus on land-based robots, fewer introduce students to underwater design and our project aimed to fill that gap.
Our design centers on a modular underwater vessel students assemble, wire and code themselves. The inner module uses four-inch PVC pieces, a clear dome and 3D-printed components to form a waterproof, low-cost enclosure. Students access the electronics bay from one end, insert components and reseal the module as needed. Because the inner module attaches to any compatible frame, students never need to modify this core piece.
For the frame, we used one-inch PVC pipe to keep construction fast, affordable and easy to reconfigure. Frame designs can vary in complexity to match different skill levels and challenge student creativity. Students mount the inner module and motors to their chosen frame, add floats or weights to tune buoyancy and control the vessel remotely with a handheld controller while viewing live footage from an onboard camera.
The modular architecture allows students to customize the vessel to their ability, giving them hands-on experience with wiring, fabrication and programming in an underwater context. Our goal was to deliver a platform flexible enough to grow with students while inspiring confidence and enthusiasm for engineering.
