SYOS Aerospace has acquired underwater robotics specialist Bay Dynamics, to enter the fast-growing subsea domain.
“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," CEO and founder of SYOS, Sam Vye, said.
The acquisition is a move by SYOS to add autonomous sub-surface technology to its product range and to expand its pipeline for future innovation, and business growth.
“The drive to constantly develop and improve uncrewed systems at both companies means it's a great partnership moving forward on the world stage,” Bay Dynamics’ founding director, Matt Mooney, stated.
“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."
SYOS is a joint UK-New Zealand manufacturer of uncrewed vehicles for use in defence and civilian sectors. In April it announced a £30 million (approx. AU $61.7 million) defence contract with the UK government.
“Remote and rapid seafloor and subsurface inspection and monitoring is vital in today’s geopolitical environment where there’s increasing risk to critical infrastructure,” 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 have been used for a wide range of services from inspections to complex underwater construction or repair tasks. They have bee deployed across sectors - including oil and gas, inshore energy, and civil engineering.
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.