Build an ESP32 RC Submarine with FPV Camera (ESP-DIVE)

Video Description

Order Your PCBs Now from JLCPCB! Sign up to get $70 New-user Coupons: https://jlcpcb.com/?from=MaxImagination Get Started Designing PCBs with Flux: https://www.flux.ai/signup?utm_source=influencer&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=maximaginationsept2025 Submarine’s Brain - Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Sense: https://www.seeedstudio.com/XIAO-ESP32S3-Sense-p-5639.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=MaxImagination&utm_campaign=ESP-DIVE 3D Printer: Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kxfvNu Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus on Official Site: https://us.elegoo.com/products/neptune-4-plus-fdm-3d-printer?utm_source=maximagination&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=n4pl&utm_id=n4pl CAD Software - Autodesk Fusion: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview 3D design mouse - 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Wireless - https://amzn.to/3HuCN7u Elektor Magazine - Electronics Mag Subscription | Code: maximagination50 (50% OFF for 1 Year): https://www.elektormagazine.com/maximagination-elektor-offer-25 Project blog on Elektor Labs: https://www.elektormagazine.com/labs/esp-dive-build-an-esp32-rc-submarine-with-fpv-camera ————————————— This is the ESP-DIVE - a DIY ESP32 Submarine you can build to explore the underwater world in first-person view. Watch live video through its bubble cam, adjust buoyancy to dive or surface like a real sub, and conveniently steer it from your phone! I’m Max, and in this tutorial, I will give you the files, the code, waterproofing tricks, and the steps so you can build your own working FPV RC submarine/underwater ROV - and take it exploring wherever you dare to dive… Key Project Info: Battery Life - 30 mins per charge Control Range - 50 meters Max Depth - 5 meters Max Speed - 0.5m/s Weight - 608 grams Dimensions - 400x90x90 mm (LxWxH), 48 mm hull diameter Build Cost - ~$125 USD 👇 All the files - code, schematics, PCB gerbers, and part list are linked below so you can start this project right away. ————————————— 📁 Project Files - (PCB Files, Schematic, and RTR Code): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DiSvwND1y_ihd31ceJY6NEj7EEpBI6VJ?usp=sharing 📐 3D model/design of ESP-DIVE’s Parts (STLs): https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/esp-dive-an-esp32-rc-submarine-with-fpv-camera-3d-design-stl-files 📜 Up-to-date Code (GitHub Repo by s60sc): https://github.com/s60sc/ESP32-CAM_MJPEG2SD 🖥️ Software - Arduino IDE: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software/ ⚙️ Parts and Materials: (Listed in pinned comment below video due to being too long for description) TOTAL PARTS COST: $125 USD (+- $20) as of 18/9/25 (Cost may vary) - Counting parts put into the submarine/underwater rover - excluding spare parts, shipping cost, and 3D model cost. To save more, find parts from the list you may already have at your disposal or can acquire locally for cheap. Easy project improvements you may consider for your sub: - Adding dielectric grease to the o-rings for improved seal. - 3D printing with the more water-resistant PETG filament instead of PLA filament especially for 3D printed parts in contact with water. - Styrofoam blobs along the 5-meter WiFi cable to prevent scraping along sea floor or riverbed. - Choosing a higher resolution camera such as OV5640 instead of OV3660. ————————————— Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:33 Developing ESP-DIVE 3:32 Designing PCB 5:42 Designing 3D Model 6:40 3D Printing 8:05 Materials 8:41 Ordering PCB 9:49 Assembling PCB 11:32 Installing Camera 13:01 Programming 15:00 Setting Up App 17:18 Assembling Sub I 27:31 Learn Electronics 27:59 Assembling Sub II 37:49 Test and Troubleshooting 41:24 Pool Dive 43:13 River Dive 43:54 Ocean Dive 45:46 Your Next Steps ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ☕ Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MaxImagination ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Instagram: @max.imagination - https://www.instagram.com/max.imagination/?hl=en ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tags: DIY submarine, RC submarine, FPV submarine, Remote control submarine, DIY underwater drone, Homemade submarine, DIY ROV, DIY underwater robot, RC underwater vehicle, Underwater exploration robot, DIY submersible, ESP32 camera, WiFi controlled submarine. #underwaterdrone #rcsubmarine #diysubmarine #autodeskad #elegoo #neptune4plus #elektor #jlcpcb #XIAOESP32S3 #flux #uppbeat