DEMO: Puffin: An Affordable µAUV for Environmental Monitoring
The Puffin is a compact, lightweight, and affordable autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed for real-time environmental monitoring. It weighs less than 4 kg, can be deployed by a single person, and is operated through a simple browser-based interface. Puffin’s passive buoyancy system allows it to park on the seafloor and loiter for extended periods without consuming energy, which enables long-duration monitoring missions. The custom PCB combines vehicle control, communications, navigation, and sensor interfaces onto a single compact board, which reduces hardware footprint and complexity while providing a scalable platform for future Puffin swarms. With the integration of acoustic communications, the Puffins can report live seafloor measurements —including sound levels and temperature —without surfacing. The system supports passive acoustic monitoring in the 20–40 kHz range, enabling detection and reporting of underwater activity directly from the seafloor. Its ease of use and low price makes it a great tool for young researcher engagement.