# 282: Tin Can Through a Wet Noodle

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2019-03-21
- Length: 1h 15m
- Episode: 282
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle

## Summary

Laughlin Barker, a systems engineer at OpenROV, discusses the design and operation of the Trident ROV, a low-cost, injection-molded underwater vehicle. He details the engineering challenges of underwater navigation, including the use of Bosch 085 IMUs and ultra-short baseline acoustic systems, and explains how OpenROV innovated by exposing brushless motors directly to salt water. Barker also shares his experiences conducting scientific missions in Antarctica, where he operated the larger 'Skinny' ROV to study marine life under the ice, highlighting issues with high-voltage connectors and the unique environmental constraints of the region.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle#t=6) Introduction: Laughlin Barker and OpenROV
- [3:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle#t=184) OpenROV History and the Trident ROV Design
- [6:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle#t=372) Underwater Engineering: Pressure, Motors, and Tethers
- [12:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle#t=765) Sensors, IMUs, and Navigation Challenges
- [23:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle#t=1427) Antarctic Field Work and the 'Skinny' ROV
- [32:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle#t=1962) Underwater Navigation: Acoustics and GPS Denial
- [43:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle#t=2584) Wildlife Encounters: Sharks and Jellyfish
- [55:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle#t=3359) Technical Failures: Connectors and High Voltage
- [59:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle#t=3579) Methane Seeps and Climate Tech
- [1:03:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle#t=3820) Pricing, The SEE Initiative, and Future ROVs

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- OpenROV (company)
- Trident ROV (product)
- Skinny (product)
- Bosch 085 (chip)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)
- ANSIS (tool)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- DDS (other)
- ROS (other)
- Tritech (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode Twenty-One: Sean Katagiri](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-10-14-episode-twenty-one-sean-katagiri) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 59: Robots at sea - Ffion Llewellyn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-10-27-episode-59-robots-at-sea-ffion-llewellyn) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 99: Robots mapping the deep ocean - Joe Wolfel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-22-episode-99-robots-mapping-the-deep-ocean-joe-wolfel) (Robot Talk)
- [Nic Radford on developing underwater robots; Celebrating 100 episodes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-12-01-nic-radford-on-developing-underwater-robots-celebrating-100-episodes) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Episode Forty-Five: Francesco Giorgio-Serchi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-21-episode-forty-five-francesco-giorgio-serchi) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-21-282-tin-can-through-a-wet-noodle. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.