Help Me Build a 3D-Printed Ocean Exploration Submarine

Hi, my name is Braden Toms, and I’m a 17-year-old senior at the Aberdeen Science and Mathematics Academy in Maryland. I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean and the idea of exploring the unknown beneath the waves.

As part of my senior capstone project, I’m dedicating over 300 hours to designing and building a 5-foot-long autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) that will be entirely 3D-printed from polycarbonate plastic. My goal is to prove that 3D printing can be used for pressure-resistant marine vessels and to make this kind of exploration affordable for more people and organizations.

The AUV will have a domed camera front, internal propulsion, and onboard AI to run real-time missions and collect environmental data. If successful, this project could help researchers, conservationists, and educators explore and protect oceans and waterways.

I’m building everything myself in Fusion 360 and running it with a Raspberry Pi and Arduino Mega. But as a student, my budget is extremely limited. Every donation will go directly toward materials, electronics, and testing. Your help doesn’t just support my project it helps inspire innovation, promote ocean preservation, and prove that students can push the boundaries of engineering.

Thank you for believing in young inventors and the future of ocean exploration.