Kochi-based deeptech startup EyeROV has won a ₹47 crore contract from the Indian Navy to deliver advanced Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (UWROVs). These robotic machines are designed to explore, inspect, and perform critical operations in underwater environments where traditional tools such as cameras and lights cannot function effectively.
EyeROV’s Trout model, a 300-metre ROV, is capable of deep-diving and comes with advanced payloads that allow it to carry out specialized missions such as underwater surveillance and inspection tasks.
The startup was founded in 2016 by IIT alumni Johns T Mathai and Kannappa Palaniappan P. Since its inception, EyeROV has completed more than 100 underwater deployments across India, West Asia, and Europe. The company now serves over 80 clients, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Coast Guard, and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
“For eight years, EyeROV has engineered underwater systems tested in the harshest conditions. This partnership with the Navy is proof that Indian innovation can set benchmarks globally in defence deep-tech,” said Mathai. “This recognition is a true reward for our dedicated efforts over the past eight years.”
To date, EyeROV has raised more than $2 million in funding from investors, with Unicorn India Ventures among its key backers, according to data from Tracxn. This new deal with the Indian Navy further strengthens EyeROV’s position as a leader in indigenous underwater robotics while also supporting India’s growing push for self-reliance in defense technology.
