EyeROV, India's pioneering commercial underwater drone technology company, has secured funding under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme to develop a long-range Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for underwater object detection and neutralization. This development comes as EyeROV signs a significant agreement with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

The agreement was exchanged by Directorate of Technology Development Fund (DTDF) Director and Scientist 'G' Nidhi Bansal and EyeROV Cofounder Kannappa Palaniappan at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The funding will enable EyeROV to create an underwater drone capable of deep-sea searches for lost objects and neutralizing potentially hazardous items. This innovative system is expected to revolutionize underwater inspection and security, extending the range and capabilities of current technology.

The DTDF, operating under DRDO and aligned with the "Make in India" initiative, has been instrumental in supporting over 75 projects of national importance, particularly those from startups and SMEs. The TDF scheme's focus on fostering innovation aligns with the broader goal of achieving self-reliance through the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Palaniappan highlighted the significance of this contract for EyeROV, founded in 2017, stating that the TDF fund will bring revolutionary changes to underwater drone technology. "We feel proud to be associated with the country's defense sector," he added.

EyeROV, co-founded by college mates Johns T Mathai and Palaniappan, operates from the Kerala Technology Innovation Zone in Kalamassery. The company has made significant strides in providing safer and more efficient inspections using robotics and artificial intelligence. Their flagship vehicle, EyeROV TUNA, is already in use by DRDO labs, the Indian Coast Guard, and CSIR-SERC, among others.

EyeROV's portfolio also includes the EyeROV iBOAT Alpha, an unmanned surface vehicle that autonomously navigates water bodies, collecting critical data. This environmentally friendly innovation further solidifies EyeROV's position as a leader in the underwater robotics sector.

The agreement ceremony was attended by NSTL Director Dr. Abraham Varughese and top officials from DRDO-NSTL, underscoring the importance of this collaboration in advancing India's defense technology capabilities.