Bluerov2 for “light” commercial use?

General Discussion
1

Hi,

I am looking at the possibilities of using BlueROV2 as an light inspection ROV, the main task will be to inspect vessels propellers and underwater powercables, and possible other types of inspection if needed.

But i have som questions before i invest around 5.000$

  1. How is the video quality on Raspberry Pi Camera? Is it HD, 4K?
  2. How is the live feed compared to the recorded video? With regards to delay and quality?
  3. Does it have any autopilot functions? Position hold etc?
    4.Can i control it only with my macbook and Playstationcontroller? And does it come with support for VR Glasses?emphasized text

I think this product look amazing, but i guess a lot of the information and explenation is to “advanced” for a beginner like me to understand - so therfore i hope some of you can answer me. :slight_smile:

Best Regards
Buckwe

2

Hi Buckwe,

  1. The Raspberry Pi camera streams video at 1080p, with 200ms latency. It is not capable of 4K.
  2. QGroundControl has a feature to record video that is currently in development and should be included in the next stable release. The recorded video is exactly the same as the stream.
  3. The BlueROV2, as shipped, is capable of holding depth and stabilizing it’s attitude in the roll axis. Roll stabilization is disabled by default in order to conserve battery, and the ROV has a high degree of static stability, so stabilizing roll with the thrusters is not generally necessary. It is possible to use the BlueROV2 with auto functions like position hold, but this requires additional equipment like a USBL and subsequent integration of the equipment with the autopilot code. The BlueROV2 is not capable of this as shipped.
  4. You can use a macbook. We recomend an Xbox 360 controller, but if your Playstation controller is recognized as an XInput device it should work. The BlueROV2 does not have stereo cameras for true VR, but you could use some FPV goggles with the analog camera in the standard electronics package (not HD).

-Jacob

3

How is the video quality on Raspberry Pi Camera? Is it HD, 4K?

I would recommend using a GoPro or similar for the best quality video/stills. The HD camera gives higher resolution video but I think its biggest advantage is that you can use one display for everything. The SD camera has the advantage of lower light sensitivity but the disadvantage of requiring a separate video monitor.

4

Hi Jacob,

Thank you for quick answer! :slight_smile:

Ok, but 1080p is still very good, but i hope i will be aible to upgrade the camera when better options are available - i guess developers are working on a camera that will match the GoPro camera in streaming mode.

But how is the QGroundControl? Is the interface easy to use? As i understand i need two types of monitors, one for the Raspberry Pi camera, and one for the LowLight Camera… Is monitor for LowLight camera included in the ROV Package?

I hope it will come more videos when using the ROV, like how the interface works, how the videoquality is from onshore, and not just fotage of the ROV operating.

I am looking forward to ordering my kit, but i guess i will use some time to learn more about Bluerov2, and how easy the interface is.
Is there somwhere i can download QGroundControl to play with connecting the controlloer and maybe some FPV Goggles already?

Best Regards
Buckwe

5

You wouldn’t normally need 2 monitors with the Advance Electronics option. The video is displayed in the QGround Control window. You also wouldn’t normally have both HD and SD video streams from different cameras. The base kit includes either HD (with advanced) or SD (with standard).

My personal opinion of QGC is that it’s pretty easy to use but a bit “quirky”. Somethings like changing parameters or configuring a joystick are sometimes less than intuitive.

6

QGC has gotten a lot better lately, especially in terms of joystick parameter setup!

7

Im in the midle of setting up a budget for this now, and what is the necessary must-have equipment i need?

  • Pelican case for storing of ROV and tether.

  • Junctionbox with all the “top-side” electronics of the ROV

  • Pelican case with integrated monitor, connection for hardwired Fatshark FPV Goggles, and xBox Controller.
    (Looking for a solutions where i can split the screen-signal, so spectators can look at the monitor, and I can operate the ROV with the FPV Goggles, i guess this will be easyer regarding light conditions)

But what else do i need, is it any other electronics i need to build up a ROV system?
Do i have to buy battery for the top-side electronics?

I guess im missing a “This is how you get started witch BlueRov - ABC”… :sweat_smile:

8

Hi,
Yes you will need power for fathom x board, if using it. I use a power bank for this. If you look at the blue robotics site, it has everything you need to know. Read through the documentation for the br2, as well. Read the forums for great info on the development side.

9

Hi, @buckwe, we are using the BROV2 for a number of commercial jobs, to mention a few:

  • anchor as-laid inspection on fishfarm installation
  • near shore pipeline pre-lay survey
  • environmental surveys

We also have clients in Poland who have been using it for SAR missions (we have a blog post coming up very shortly).

At the end of the day, the BROV2 is “just” a tool, as any other micro-ROV out there. I think the key success factor is whether you know the ropes of the sector you want to pitch your services to.

However, the BROV2 does offer a few benefits over its competitors:

  • A very vibrant and fast moving community developed and “owned” firmware (in ROV) and interface software (at surface)
  • Commercial grade thruster configuration, as opposed to other similarly priced systems with less maneuvering capabilities.
  • At a fragment of the price of a commercial grade system with similar maneuvering characteristics

Hope that’s of any help.

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