BeeX Autonomous Systems (BeeX) is a Singapore based deep tech robotics company
developing and operating autonomous underwater inspection drones designed to transform how subsea inspections are performed.
With a strong focus on energy and defense applications, BeeX conducts complex survey and inspection missions around subsea infrastructure. Traditionally, these operations rely on large vessels, tethered ROV systems, and highly skilled pilots.
At the core of BeeX’s platform is an advanced AI operating system that enables its drones to operate with minimal operator intervention and, when required, without a tether, reducing operational cost, vessel dependency, and risk.
The challenge of autonomous operations around complex structures
Autonomous navigation in open water survey missions is already well established. Operating autonomously around offshore infrastructure, however, remains far more challenging.
Subsea structures such as piles, jackets, monopiles, and diagonal members create complex environments where visibility can be poor and navigation becomes difficult.
“For autonomy to work around structures, sensors play a huge role in helping the system
understand the environment and navigate reliably,” says Goh Eng Wei, CTO and Co-Founder at BeeX.
Moving beyond traditional sonar approaches
BeeX has long experience with a wide range of sonar technologies, including 2D
forward-looking sonars, multibeams, and side-scan systems. However, these solutions provided limited environmental awareness for autonomous decision-making close to structures. To enable higher levels of autonomy, BeeX identified the need for true three-dimensional perception.
“One of the biggest improvements we were looking for was sonar that could provide three dimensional information rather than only two dimensional views,” says Goh.
To further strengthen its perception stack, BeeX evaluated and integrated the Water Linked Sonar 3D-15, which offered a compact form factor, detailed 3D data, and straightforward integration with its onboard systems.
Strengthening underwater perception
The sonar streams real time 3D data into BeeX’s onboard autonomy system through the Water Linked API, supporting perception functions such as object detection, tracking, and scene understanding.
As part of a broader multi-sensor fusion approach, the 3D sonar adds an additional sensing dimension that helps BeeX drones better understand complex subsea structures and navigate around them more reliably.
Enabling more autonomous inspection missions
BeeX now uses Sonar 3D-15 across a range of demanding inspection and navigation tasks Including:
● Autonomous navigation around complex subsea structures
● Structural inspections and close visual inspection workflows
● Member following on both vertical and diagonal structural elements
● Autonomous anomaly identification following survey missions
In offshore energy workflows, anomalies detected during survey operations often require a second deployment using manually piloted ROVs.
By improving perception and decision-making onboard, BeeX reduces the need for repeat deployments and enables more efficient, end-to-end inspection workflows.
“The sonar has significantly increased the robustness of our anomaly detection and made autonomous inspections much more effective,” says Goh Eng Wei.
The 3D nature of the data also enables more reliable operation in turbid water conditions where camera based solutions struggle, while supporting precise navigation near complex structures.
Collaboration and support
BeeX also highlights the close collaboration with Water Linked during the integration and testing Phases.
“When there is a defect or an API issue, the turnaround has been very fast. The support
engineers work quickly to resolve issues,” Goh notes.
Looking ahead
BeeX aims to transform underwater operations at scale by making inspections faster, safer, and significantly less manual across both energy and defence sectors. By continuing to advance its autonomy and perception capabilities, BeeX is the industry torchbearer toward scalable, autonomous underwater operations.
Autonomous underwater inspection drones will continue to evolve. Technologies such as 3D sonar will play an important role alongside other sensing systems in enabling reliable perception and navigation underwater.