Oceanbotics, RJE International Expand HQ to New SoCal Facility IRVINE, California — Underwater robotics manufacturer Oceanbotics and its parent company, RJE International, have officially moved their global headquarters to a new, state-of-the-art facility in Irvine, California (9805 Research Drive, Irvine, CA 92618 USA). Located just down the road from their previous site, the upgraded 20,000-square-foot facility more than doubles the company's production capacity and features an open floor plan designed specifically for rapid scaling and continuous expansion. Oceanbotics Irvine headquarters offers the company increased capacity to grow, and the ability to connect with their customers through dockside trainings and demonstrations. Oceanbotics new HQ is 15 minutes from the water, making live demos accessible. A sub-20-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean, the new location optimizes the companies’ ability to conduct live ocean demonstrations and hands-on customer training sessions—a testament to Oceanbotics’ and RJE International’s industry-leading service model. The expanded [...]

How to Choose the Right ROV: 3-Step ROV Selection Guide for Subsea Missions Selecting the ideal Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for underwater operations often comes down to balancing three critical variables: operating depth, ocean currents, and payload capability. Whether you are conducting shallow infrastructure inspections, mapping deep-water pipelines, or deploying advanced subsea sensors, choosing the right platform ensures high mission success and maximum ROI. At Oceanbotics, we streamline the procurement process by evaluating three fundamental operational questions. Read through this ROV selection guide—or take our quick quiz framework—to determine which Oceanbotics ROV model best fits your team's subsea requirements SRV-8 Series from left to right: SRV-8, SRV-8C, and SRV-8X. ROV Selection Guide: 3 Fundamental Questions To choose the right SRV-8 series model, consider three key factors: operating depth, ocean currents, and payload capability. 1. Target Operating Depth Shallow & Surface Assets (0–100m): Ideal for inspecting [...]

Oceanbotics SRV-8 ROV Returns to Shark Week with Upgraded Camera Technology CATALINA ISLAND, CA — The Oceanbotics team is no stranger to shark-infested waters. 2026 marks four straight years of partnering with Discovery Channel production teams—using the Oceanbotics SRV-8 ROV to track and capture footage of sharks underwater. This year, Ryan Gates (ROV Pilot and Outside Sales) and Mira Nagle (Head of Marketing) spent two full days off the coast of Catalina tracking and filming Mako sharks. To capture the best footage yet, the team deployed a fully loaded vehicle equipped with a 2D imaging sonar (Blueprint Subsea) and the NavPod Navigation Module for maximum situational awareness. The SRV-8 remotely operated underwater vehicle is upgraded with a new 4K camera that comes standard. New Cinematic 4K Technology The biggest upgrade to this year's expedition was the integration of Oceanbotics' new 4K camera technology, which now comes standard [...]

NZ Customs ROV Acquisition: Three SRV-8 Units to Combat Drug Smuggling IRVINE, CA – In response to increasingly sophisticated maritime smuggling tactics, a new NZ Customs ROV initiative has been announced featuring the acquisition of three advanced SRV-8 Remotely Operated Vehicles. This strategic investment marks a significant leap forward in securing the nation's borders and disrupting illicit drug supply chains entering by sea. The military-grade SRV-8 remotely operated underwater vehicle. Strengthening Regional Security and Interoperability By deploying the SRV-8 remotely operated underwater vehicle, New Zealand Customs Service aligns its technological capabilities with key defense and border agencies in the region, fostering seamless collaboration. "Operating the exact same ROV technology as the Australian Border Force and the Royal New Zealand Navy drastically improves cross-border interoperability." — Paul Campbell, Customs Group Manager Maritime The Australian Border Force is already highly experienced with this specific ROV technology. Their high-stakes efforts [...]

CSUF’s Titan ROV Team Takes 1st Place at National Underwater Robotics Challenge Students nationwide are gaining hands-on experience in underwater robotics at the year’s premier robot competition: the National Underwater Robotics Challenge (NURC). Hosted by the Firewheel STEM Institute in Chandler, Arizona, NURC highlights robotics for underwater exploration and teaches students advanced manufacturing, 3D printing, and engineering design. The CSUF Titan ROV team's vehicle performing at the NURC in Chandler, Arizona. Supporting the Mission To support this mission, Oceanbotics sponsored the Titan ROV team from Cal State Fullerton (CSUF). For almost a decade, this collegiate team has built remotely operated vehicles for this annual ROV competition. What began as a class project is now a multi-generational underwater ROV build passed down to new students to refine. Oceanbotics founder and CSUF alumnus Robert Jechart sees the program as a vital talent pipeline. Oceanbotics has supported the ROV vehicle [...]

Introducing the SRV-8C: Compact, Capable & Cost-Effective ROV It’s finally here—the SRV-8C. The most compact remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in the Oceanbotics lineup, the SRV-8C delivers the same ease of operation, extreme maneuverability, and intuitive SubNav OS software the SRV-8 Series is known for—now in a streamlined, highly portable system. Standing at just over 15 inches tall, the SRV-8C is designed for efficiency in both size and deployment. The vehicle, tether, and essential accessories can be packed into a single rolling case, enabling rapid mobilization in the field and reducing logistical complexity compared to traditional inspection-class ROV systems. The SRV-8C introduces a new price point for Oceanbotics—making professional-grade underwater inspection more attainable than ever. Compact yet highly capable, the system enables users to perform critical tasks such as object identification, inspection, and retrieval, all while delivering an industry-leading battery life of up to four hours. The SRV-8C completes the SRV-8 Series, [...]