FullDepth

About FullDepth

FullDepth Co., Ltd. is a Japanese technology firm specializing in the development, manufacturing, and sale of industrial underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), commonly known as underwater drones. The company was established on June 4, 2014, as a venture emerging from the University of Tsukuba. Its foundation was driven by co-founder Shohei Ito's childhood passion for deep-sea life and robotics. Ito, an engineer with expertise in robotics, mechanics, and software, began developing an underwater exploration robot as a hobby, a project that evolved over a decade into the creation of FullDepth.

The company's primary offering is the "DiveUnit300," an industrial underwater drone designed for accessibility and performance. This ROV can operate at depths of up to 300 meters and is engineered to be compact and portable, weighing approximately 28 kg, which allows it to be operated by a two-person team. Key features include a hovering function, a full HD camera, and a notably thin 3.7 mm tether cable for video transmission, which is robust enough to withstand significant weight. For enhanced operations in low-visibility conditions, the drone can be integrated with a USBL acoustic positioning system for precise coordinate tracking. FullDepth's technology is officially registered by the New Technology Information System (NETIS) of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

FullDepth serves a diverse client base across various sectors, including infrastructure maintenance, fisheries, and scientific research. Its drones are utilized for inspecting dams, ports, offshore wind farms, and fishing reefs, providing a cost-effective and safer alternative to human divers. The business model encompasses direct sales of the drone units and subscription-based services. The company also offers customized solutions and operator services, where a trained technician conducts inspections on-site for clients who have not purchased the equipment. Revenue is generated through the sale of these products and services. The company has secured funding from various entities, including Drone Fund, Mitsui Sumitomo Capital, and Beyond Next Ventures, to support mass production and international market entry.