====== OpenROV Build ======

A few people have expressed interest in building an [[http://openrov.com/|OpenROV]].  We'll be documenting our progress here.

**Next Steps**

  * Determine what version to build.
  * Put together a BOM using as many local sources as possible.
  * Start gathering the parts.
  * Continue to examine the BBB software.

**Initial Look**

At this stage, it's been mostly research.  I've been reading up on OpenROV.  I've purchased a [[http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBone%20Black|BeagleBone Black]] from [[http://www.leeselectronic.com/index.php|Lee's Electronics]] on Main St ($55 + tax).  Being lazy, I downloaded the [[https://github.com/OpenROV/openrov-image|BBB image]] from the Github rep, unzipped it, and used [[http://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/|Win32 Disk Imager]] to write the image to a microSD card (2gb are required, but I had an 8gb card laying around).  Then I purchased a micro HDMI cable from The Source (around $10 I think), and took a quick peek at the BBB which runs linux.  The default username is: rov and the password is: OpenROV.  From there, I could browse to Start.html and see the interface used to control the ROV.  

The point of all this was basically to get familiar with the BBB, and get a bit of insight into the project.  I'll likely update the image again before it's done.  Some other things to note:
  * I have not purchased the OpenROV Cape (the BBB version of a shield for any Arduino folks out there).  The current shield will work with the BBB, but it requires that you clip a couple of debugging pins.  Since I'm not even sure if I will build version 2.4 (current at the moment), or wait for 2.5, I'm not really keen to mod my BBB just yet.
  * I've joined the OpenROV site.  I sent in a request from the login screen, and within the day I was added.
  * I also joined the Google+ OpenROV group.  Some interesting posts in there.
  * I've downloaded the DXF files for the plastic parts.  They are broken into four files: Blue 3mm acrylic, White 3mm acrylic, Clear 3mm acrylic, and Clear 6mm acrylic.  Again, not sure I'll use these, but I wanted to take a look.  Some of the parts require bending.  This led me to think about building a nichrome wire acrylic bender similar to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVEf7PfuKxo|this]].  I'll have to see how my time plays out.
  * OpenROV requests that you etch a serial number in to each build.  They provide them.  Once I've decided what version I'll be using, I'll probably do a test cut of the components, then request a serial number for the final cut.


Total Cost to Date: **$65 cdn**