SYOS Aerospace acquires Bay Dynamics, a Tauranga-based company specialising in subsea drones, expanding its global drone offerings beyond air, ground, and sea-surface types.
SYOS chief executive Samuel Vye said the acquisition addresses the increasing risks to data cables and gas pipelines.
“What we’re doing by integrating underwater vehicles along with our drone boats is actually the ability to do rapid inspection of seafloor infrastructure as well as ongoing surveillance of seafloor infrastructure,” Vye said during a conversation with RNZ.
Officials have earlier cautioned the government that submarine cables are appealing targets for espionage.
“We have the two pieces of the puzzle” by adding Bay’s uncrewed underwater vehicles to their drone boats, Vye said.
“Say, out… off of Taranaki, you could command the boat to go out, and you would then command the boat to deploy the underwater vehicle… and inspect the infrastructure, and you’re being able to do that effectively from the comfort and safety of your office.”
SYOS Aerospace secured a contract valued at over $60 million to supply its existing drones to the UK government. Vye explained that the goal was to eliminate the need for operators to be involved in tasks that are “boring, dirty, or dangerous.”