This video chronicles the two-year development of the CPS3, a DIY underwater drone designed for accessibility, affordability, and deep-water capability. To achieve widespread buildability without custom 3D printing, the drone's frame is constructed from flat, CNC-cut plastic sheets, incorporating innovative motor mounting techniques. Its control system utilizes an easily programmable Arduino microcontroller, complemented by custom PCBs for simplified wiring, and an economical car reverse camera for navigation. The electronics are waterproofed using epoxy resin, enabling deep-sea operation despite making internal repairs permanent. The CPS3 features a three-motor configuration for maneuverability, passive self-leveling, and is designed for future upgrades and attachments. The creators also offer a comprehensive, beginner-friendly online course with instructional videos and materials, with complete hardware kits planned for future release.
Summarizing the CPS3 DIY Submarine Drone
0:02 DIY Submarine Development: The video details the two-year journey to design and build the CPS3, a DIY submarine drone intended to be cheap, simple, maneuverable, fast, extendable, and capable of deep-water use.
0:10 Accessible Design (No 3D Prints): To ensure the design is buildable for everyone, it avoids custom 3D-printed parts, instead relying on flat, CNC-cut plastic sheets for the drone's frame, which are a more affordable manufacturing method.
1:53 Innovative Motor Mounting: The drone features a clever motor mounting solution using two-sheet assemblies, threaded rods, and screws, with the third motor secured by zip ties, overcoming challenges encountered with previous PVC pipe frame prototypes.
3:29 Simplified Electronics: The core of the drone's control is an affordable and user-programmable Arduino board, integrated with custom PCBs (available from the creators) to simplify wiring; initial battery holders were upgraded due to overheating issues.
5:57 Affordable Camera Integration: An inexpensive plug-and-play car reverse parking camera, complete with its own display, is used for basic underwater navigation, with the option to mount a GoPro for higher-quality video recording.
6:28 Durable Epoxy Waterproofing: The electronic boards are waterproofed using epoxy resin, a cost-effective and durable method suitable for deep-water environments, although it makes internal repairs permanent.
7:48 Buoyancy and Self-Leveling: Buoyancy foam is strategically positioned on top of the frame to achieve neutral buoyancy and ensure the drone passively self-levels horizontally in the water.
8:07 Remote Controller & Upgrades: A simple remote controller is also constructed from CNC parts, and the drone is designed for extensibility, supporting 3D-printable hydrodynamic shells and additional electronic attachments like grabbers or pH sensors.
9:01 Field Testing & Maneuverability: Successful field testing in a clear lake demonstrated the three-motor CPS3's maneuverability, achieved through passive horizontal leveling and the vertical motor's ability to change pitch while swimming forward, even diving over 20 meters.
10:13 Comprehensive Building Course: The creators offer a "CPS-3 course" which includes step-by-step instruction manuals and video tutorials, covering everything from basic soldering to multimeter use, with the first chapter and full component list available for free.
7:31 Future Kit Availability: The creators are actively working on producing complete kits containing all necessary parts, with an anticipated release by January next year, and a waitlist for interested builders is available.