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, [...]