Hi everyone, I’m building a USV based on a ~2.5 m inflatable monohull boat (full-load displacement 200-250 kg), with ArduPilot autopilot and skid-steering propulsion (differential thrust, no rudder). Target cruise speed is ~4 m/s. I’m planning to use a pair of T500 thrusters and I’d love some real-…

Hi @madro - Welcome to the forums! I don’t think you’re going to achieve anywhere near 4 m/s with T500s - but not because the thrusters don’t have enough power. Differential steering won’t be a problem, especially as ArduRover will reverse the motors - you’ll be able to pivot turn in place! But t…

Hello Tony, Really helpful reply, thank you! The nozzle-as-gear analogy makes a lot of sense, and the M500 is definitely on my radar now. One thing I’m still not sure about: with a small-diameter, high-RPM prop running close to the surface, I’d expect ventilation and cavitation to be a real conce…

Hi @madro - Ventilation is certainly a concern - cavitation typically can be avoided by prop design, especially if the diameter is small? The mounts linked for the M500 adaptation of the BlueBoat lower it significantly, and by having the weight that far back makes the boat really pitch backwards …

Hi! I see you’re releasing new versions of the M500 soon. I’m working on a project and was planning to buy the BASIC ESC 500 speed controllers to build it. Will you also be releasing an update for the speed controllers? Thanks!

Hi @jua123 - There is no ESC update planned in conjunction with the M500 launch. An ESC is being worked on, but it’s at an earlier stage of development, relatively speaking! That ESC will have a similar capacity to the Basic ESC 500, and include lots of amazing features targeted at general robotic…

[image] Tony White: M500s - a product that is actually launching fairly soon (with better mounting options than a modified T500.) Noting that the M500 has now been launched :slight_smile: [image] Tony White: A M500 prop will also be launched We haven’t yet finalised or released a prop…

T500 for mid-size USV - Ardupilot

Blue Robotics Products Thrusters and Motors

EliotBR (Eliot) June 11, 2026, 8:22pm 7

Noting that the M500 has now been launched

We haven’t yet finalised or released a propeller design though - at this stage we’re just selling the motor.

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T500 for mid-size USV - Ardupilot

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