Bahari Explorer

 

Bahari Explorer is a low cost, open-source underwater robot capable of serious scientific research. We aim to disrupt the barrier for ocean adventurers and researchers to conduct and access critical scientific data on our marine environment

 

 

The Goal:

We believe that the hardcore scientific research can be enabled through low-cost ROV technology. This technology can and should be more easily accessible to ocean adventurers and researchers and will result in bridging the academic/real-world gap. We aim to remove this barrier with the Bahari Explorer.

 

Join the community and develop this with us: Bahari Explorer on GitHub

 

5 Year Vision

To develop the Bahari Explorer into a generation of multiple ROV’s working as a community, remotely gathering key scientific data, yet still affordable to users and explorers on the ground, where this technology is most needed.

  • Ability to house probes to record environmental data (such as temperature, depth, conductivity etc) in a modular format
  • The ROV must be wireless, thereby being remotely operated without a tether to the surface vessel, yet still able to transfer video-imagery to surface
  • The ability for multiple ROVs to work in conjunction, as a network
  • The network of ROVs must have the capabilities for 3D mapping, filming, recording ecological data
  • This can be a platform/model that can be scaled up to different scientific applications, as the scientific community requires
  • The unit/technology must remain affordable, cost-effective and easily developed, using accessible materials

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join the community and build Bahari Explorer with us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background:

Taking the open sourced OpenROV concept into a tool to scientifically explore our marine environment. The Bahari Explorer will take a number of steps forward in realising this concept by adapting the ROV for stereo-imagery (scientific methodology used by divers to access reef and reef fish community data). The ROV will require modifications with respect to power generation, motherboard operation and hydrodynamic design to achieve this task. The 1st generation Bahari Explorer will consist of a single unit able to access stereo-imagery data at depths beyond the safe diver operation limits. The Bahari Explorer will enable new scientific data to be collected in a low-cost contextualized manner, the ramifications of which are limitless!

 

Why is the Bahari Explorer needed:

  • Conventional ROV’s are too expensive and technologically complex for sampling in remote environments
  • Cost effective ROV to capture data can greatly increase the amount of quality sampling that can be conducted (diver limitations)
  • Developing Open Sourced ROV technology with scientific modus operandi will significantly contribute towards new arenas of data capture, examining and quantifying effects of overfishing, climate change, reef destruction etc.
  • Assisting new scientific discoveries (particularly in developing countries) that are measurable and quantifiable (deep water corals, fish distributions, new species etc.)

 

..Inspired by OpenROV?

 

 

An OpenROV is a Do-It-Yourself low-cost telerobotic submarine that has been built with mostly off-the-shelf parts. Their goal is to democratize exploration by allowing anyone to explore and study underwater environments simply and cheaply, laying the foundation for globally-connected citizen scientists to share their data and findings.

The OpenROV is a useful technological device, and starting point that can be used for marine exploration. However, the technology needs to be developed further; to considerably improve its scientific sampling capabilities

 

.There is a five-year vision to develop the Bahari Explorer into a new generation technology harnessing cutting edge software, functionality and structural design. The initial outputs and desired technology advancements include:

 

1. Test the ability of the OpenROV to carry the standardised stereo-video equipment

2. Based on challenges experienced during initial testing, the technical team will further develop the hardware to overcome these problems, which include:

  • Can the ROV carry the additional weight and drag of the standardised stereo video setup?
  • As a consequence of the above there will be additional drag, hydrodynamic and buoyancy issues that need to be overcome.
  • Stability of the unit with the stereo-video superstructure
  • Ability of the unit to maintain a bearing relative to current/water movement
  • Amount of thrust (side/forwards/backwards/up/down) to move the whole unit in relation to the sampling method
  • Amount of power required to run additional thrusters/overcome friction of tether
  • Potentially assessing capability to determine the ROV position relative to the vessel