SYOS Aerospace has acquired underwater robotics specialist Bay Dynamics, to enter the fast-growing subsea domain.
The acquisition is a strategic move by SYOS to add autonomous sub-surface technology to its product range and to expand its pipeline for future innovation, and business growth.
SYOS is a joint UK-New Zealand manufacturer of uncrewed vehicles for use in defence and civilian sectors. In April it announced a £30m defence contract with the UK government.
Sam Vye, CEO and founder of SYOS, said: “This acquisition strengthens SYOS’s position as a multi-domain robotics company serving both defence and civilian markets. Subsurface capability is the next frontier and this deal brings us closer to delivering the full spectrum of uncrewed operations: in the air, on land, at sea, and now below it.”
Governments and businesses are increasingly relying on underwater drones to inspect and protect energy pipelines and telecommunications cables from sabotage or incident.
“Remote and rapid seafloor and subsurface inspection and monitoring is vital in today’s geopolitical environment where there’s increasing risk to critical infrastructure,” Mr Vye said.
“The applications for SYOS air, land, sea and now underwater vehicles are endless, ranging from disaster response to offshore inspections to delivering supplies to ships.
Bay Dynamics’ underwater vehicles are used for a wide range of services from inspections to complex underwater construction or repair tasks. They are deployed across sectors – including oil and gas, inshore energy, and civil engineering – and are capable of use in challenging environments such fast-flowing or strong currents, and polar temperatures.
Matt Mooney, Bay Dynamics’ founding director, said the company’s subsea systems perfectly complement SYOS’s existing and future platforms.
“The drive to constantly develop and improve uncrewed systems at both companies means it’s a great partnership moving forward on the world stage,” he said.
“We have a range of underwater vehicles, capable of both tethered control, or unplugged autonomous operation, and specific units for long range activities and other use-cases.
“Everything is designed and built to bring cost-effectiveness and ruggedness to markets that were demanding it but not getting it elsewhere.”
SYOS was founded four years ago in Mount Manganui, in North Island, New Zealand, and it opened a European engineering and production facility at Fareham in the UK in 2024.
The Fareham site can produce 40 state-of-the-art USV ‘drone-boats’ a month and this will be expanded to integrate underwater drone production for sale into European markets.
“We want to remove a pilot or operator from any dull, dirty, or dangerous situation – to reduce risk and reduce cost – whether in national security or civil operations,” Mr Vye said.
“The cost of uncrewed vehicles can be much lower than traditional crewed vehicles, both in terms of purchase and operating costs.
“Robotics unlocks much greater capabilities with AI, computer vision and swarming capabilities. This is a capability step change.”
