Far below the ocean’s surface lies a high-risk industry that has long relied on skilled commercial divers to inspect and maintain oil and gas installations, underwater pipelines, hydropower structures and other critical infrastructure. The global commercial diving industry is currently valued at $8.50 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.91% to reach $11.12 billion by 2032. Despite its scale, the profession remains hazardous, with as many as 18 fatalities reported annually for every 10,000 divers. Extreme underwater conditions, including strong currents, limited visibility and rising atmospheric pressure, can cause barotrauma, decompression sickness and nitrogen narcosis, especially at depths beyond 30–40 metres.
Many hydropower and oil and gas installations are located 100 to 120 metres underwater or deeper. Any structural damage can disrupt energy supply or trigger environmental consequences, making timely inspections and repairs critical. However, sending divers into such environments significantly increases operational risk. The need for safer alternatives has accelerated interest in underwater robotics.
It was this very challenge that led Johns T Mathai and Kannappa Palaniappan P to establish EyeROV in Kochi in 2016. The company focuses on developing remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) designed to conduct underwater inspections in harsh marine environments. In 2024, the startup secured ₹10 crore (approximately $1.2 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by AWE Funds and Unicorn India Ventures.
The opportunity for marine robotics is expanding rapidly. The global subsea maintenance services market, currently valued at $3.5 billion, is growing at an average rate of 13.5% and is expected to reach $11 billion by 2032. In parallel, India’s undersea robotics market, estimated at $108.86 million, is projected to expand at a CAGR of 18.27% to $309.60 million by 2032. The government’s “Make in India” initiative has further strengthened the ecosystem, with companies such as Xera Robotics and Planys Technologies also advancing indigenous marine robotics capabilities.
“Our vision is to become a global leader in marine robotics. As the prime minister says, we want to build in India and sell to the world,” Johns said during an interaction.
Demand for underwater robotics is being driven not only by industrial maintenance but also by environmental monitoring, energy exploration and defence applications. In an increasingly volatile geopolitical climate, local production of advanced hardware systems like underwater robots has gained strategic importance.
EyeROV’s journey began with a real-world problem. Kannappa, during his tenure as a marine scientist at the National Institute of Ocean Technology, witnessed delays caused by the need for specialised divers to inspect a ship hull after a collision. The vessel had to wait several days before divers arrived, highlighting the inefficiencies and risks of traditional methods. Around the same time, Johns was working at industrial automation startup GreyOrange. Having previously founded a robotics club together in college, the duo reunited to create a practical solution.
Within six to nine months, they developed their first proof-of-concept prototype, which evolved into “Tuna,” an ROV capable of conducting inspections at depths of up to 100 metres. In less than 18 months, EyeROV delivered its first commercial-grade vehicle to a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory.
Since then, the company says it has completed over 100 inspection projects. EyeROV currently operates across India, the Middle East and Europe, with plans to expand into Southeast Asia. The team has grown to more than 65 employees and continues to scale both in workforce and operations.
While specific financial figures were not disclosed, Johns stated that the company has achieved two- to three-fold annual growth. “We were EBITDA positive and PAT positive last year, and look forward to being profitable this year as well,” he said.
As marine infrastructure becomes increasingly vital to global energy and trade networks, EyeROV’s progress reflects a broader shift toward automation in high-risk environments. By replacing divers with intelligent robotic systems, the company aims to enhance safety, efficiency and resilience in underwater operations, positioning India as an emerging force in the global marine robotics landscape.
