• SEAPERCH II
    IS HERE!

SEAPERCH 101

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.

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

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.

SCIENCE NOTES

Sci/Tech Notes by Topic

Modules include Science/Tech Notes:

  • Making rubber with two-part silicone
  • How the silicone stretch sensor works
  • Biomimicry – robot whiskers
  • Cleaning up data with a software filter

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

SURVEY

FUTURE MODULES

CONDUCTIVITY / SALINITY SENSOR
DISSOLVED OXYGEN SENSOR
FLUOROMETER
INFRARED DISTANCE SENSOR

INTEGRATED UNDERWATER CAMERA
LAND-WATER COMMUNICATION
MOTOR WATERPROOFING
SOFT ROBOTICS (GRIPPER)

CONTACT US

Drew Bennett headshot

Dr. Andrew Bennett

Education Administrator
Diane Brancazio

Diane Brancazio

MIT Edgerton Center

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)