Contact Energy and Syos Aerospace

Syos Aerospace developed and successfully deployed a world-first underwater robotic inspection system for live coating thickness measurement of submerged hydroelectric penstocks in New Zealand. The system combined advanced ROV technology, robotic manipulation, ultrasonic sensing, and custom dual-spring probe engineering to achieve highly repeatable micron-level measurements underwater without dewatering the assets. The innovation reduced inspection
downtime from 3-4 days per penstock to approximately three hours while improving inspection coverage and operational efficiency. Successfully deployed on critical hydroelectric infrastructure, the project demonstrated a globally unique robotic inspection capability developed and fielded by a small New Zealand engineering team.