• SEAPERCH II
    IS HERE!

SeaPerch is an underwater robotics program that started at MIT Sea Grant in 2003 and continues today through RoboNation (seaperch.org). SeaPerch trains teachers and students to build and navigate their own remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs.
>>Learn more: SeaPerch 101

Now, MIT Sea Grant is introducing new SeaPerch II modules!

CONTACT US

BASIC SEAPERCH

Build Guide

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program for students to learn and practice engineering, design, and fabrication skills by building and navigating their own remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs.

Learn how to waterproof motors, affix propellers, build electronics control boxes and more!

SeaPerch II illustration

MEET SEAPERCH

MIT News Story + Video

MODULE 1

Robot Whisker Sensor

Whiskers are sensitive sensory tools some animals use to sense their environment and navigate through narrow spaces.

Make your own whisker sensors for your underwater robot with electrical resistive components, responsive lights, and more!

A graphic illustration of a whisker sensor with wiring and cast silicone

MODULE 2

Pressure (Depth) + Temperature Sensor

This sensor tracks pressure, depth, and temperature. Find out if your ROV is too high in the water, too low, or just right.

Navigate at a specific depth or measure temperature at different levels.

MODULE 3

Gripper Guide

Make your own simple and inexpensive soft-robotic grippers that can pick up and put down objects.

The gripper is completely DIY, from the 3D printed molds and mounts, to the cast silicone grippers. The actuation system requires only plastic syringes, tubing, and fittings. 

Gripper for SeaPerch ROV

MODULE 4

Controller Box + Gripper Pump Switch

*NEW – May 2025*

This project builds on the Soft-Robotic Grippers module, adding a controller box and submersible pump to open and close the gripper.

Build a new robust controller or adapt the controller sold by RoboNation.

Do-It-Yourself Controller

SCIENCE NOTES

Sci/Tech Notes by Topic

Modules include Science/Tech Notes:

  1. Making rubber with two-part silicone
  2. How the silicone stretch sensor works in a circuit
  3. Biomimicry – robot whiskers
  4. Cleaning up noisy data with a software filter
  5. Circuits using DPDT and SPDT switches to reverse the spin direction of DC motors

SURVEY

POSTERS

By Elena Huang

A graphic poster with several sensors and an illustration of SeaPerch II underwater robot
Graphic poster illustrating effects of climate change on coastal waters, with title, From Atmosphere to Ocean

SPECIAL THANKS

Ansel Garcia-Langley (MIT MechE ’24)

Thao Do (MIT MechE ’25)

Teagan Sullivan (MIT ’26)

Elena Huang (MIT affiliate)

Alex Li and Leo Wang (Former UROPs)

Melissa Wen (Illustration at top of page)