A decade below the surface

Monday, June 23, 2025 / The Blueye office

Blueye Robotics began in 2015 with a single idea: to contribute to greater knowledge and understanding of the ocean by making it easier to see what is happening below the surface. Ten years later, we have established ourselves as a leading player in underwater technology, with customers in over 60 countries and ROVs being used across industries - from aquaculture and shipping to defence and inspections. Now, we mark a significant milestone in Blueye’s story and reflect on a decade of development, collaboration, and technological innovation.

From idea to the ROV market

Blueye was founded by a passionate group of people with backgrounds from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. Driven by a shared vision to make underwater technology more accessible, the goal was clear: to develop user-friendly and reliable ROVs requiring no specialized training to operate. Through collaboration, persistence, and a solution-oriented mindset, the Blueye team built and introduced the first prototype to the market.The result was the Blueye Pioneer, which laid the foundation for a versatile tool for underwater operations.

Ten years ago, we set out on a mission to make the underwater world more accessible. We knew that if professionals could see more and understand more, they could act with confidence where it matters most. That’s why we built Blueye." - Christian Gabrielsen, CEO, Blueye Robotics.

Blueye 10 years. Video: Blueye Robotics

Since launching the Blueye Pioneer, Blueye has grown from an idea into both a national and international player. Today, our ROVs are used by customers in a wide range of sectors - including offshore, aquaculture, research, and search & rescue. We have combined strong technical expertise with user-centered development, proving that advanced underwater technology can be powerful and easy to use.

Our milestones over the past decade

Over the past ten years, Blueye Robotics has achieved several important milestones that have shaped our journey as a company. From launching our first ROV to developing today’s advanced models with extended range, greater ease of use, and modular customization, we have continuously worked to raise the standard in underwater technology. Some of Blueye's key highlights:

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Illustration: Blueye Robotics
Read more about the highlights here!

Additionally, we have received awards and recognition and participated in exciting projects both nationally and internationally. Each milestone reflects our team’s dedication, collaboration, and shared vision to transform how we explore the ocean!

How has Blueye contributed?

By developing user-friendly and robust underwater drones, we have made monitoring ocean areas and underwater infrastructure easier, with greater precision and safety. Blueye technology provides professionals with critical insights without the need for risky diving operations or large, resource-intensive vessels.

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Norwegian Mine Clearance Divers removing torpedoes from Helge Ingstad. Photo: Norwegian Navy / Shot with the Blueye Pioneer

Blueye ROVs help reduce operational costs and mission time by simplifying inspections and underwater data collection. This allows users to perform regular checks and preventive maintenance quickly, efficiently, and with minimal logistics. Whether monitoring environmental conditions at a fish farm, inspecting hulls and propellers, assessing damage to underwater infrastructure, or gathering environmental data, Blueye ROVs enable users to carry out missions safely, effectively, and precisely.

In 2024, we spoke with the Norwegian Coast Guard, a part of the Royal Norwegian Navy, about how they use Blueye ROVs. Their experience is that is is an easy-to-use tool to have on board to enhance efficiency and safety during maritime operations. The underwater drones helped them identify damage on their own vessel. With the Blueye ROV, they were able to quickly inspect the hull without having to send divers into the water. This saved valuable time and reduced risk for the crew. The Norwegian Coast Guard emphasizes that the ability to conduct rapid and precise underwater inspections contributes to better decision-making and increased operational readiness.

Interview with Erik Johansen at KV Bjørnøya. Video: Blueye Robotics

We have evolved since the days of the Pioneer. While we continue to prioritize user-friendliness, today's ROVs can also be customized with various external tools like GPS, sonar, grippers, and advanced sensors. This modularity makes it easy to tailor the ROV to suit a wide range of applications - whether you are involved in rescue operations or environmental monitoring. With a broad selection of compatible accessories, you can adapt your ROV to your specific needs and ensure efficient underwater inspections and data collection in any field.

The team behind the underwater ROVs

Behind Blueye Robotics is a dedicated and diverse team of engineers, designers, developers, and marketing and business development professionals. We combine technical expertise with creative problem-solving and a strong focus on developing what our customers truly need.

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The Blueye team 2024. Photo: Blueye Robotics

Collaboration and innovation are at the heart of Blueye’s culture - a mindset that stems from our roots at NTNU, where curiosity, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary teamwork are embedded. Whether developing new hardware, testing software, or supporting customers in the field, we work as one team with a shared goal. It is this collective spirit, technological insight, and deep curiosity about the ocean that have made it possible for us to create ROVs that are both intuitive and versatile.

Exploring new depths

We want to thank everyone who has been part of this journey - our employees, partners, customers, and supporters. Without your trust and engagement, Blueye would not be where we are today. We look forward to the next ten years of innovation, new solutions and exciting challenges. We aim to continue leading in underwater technology and help make the ocean more accessible to more people!