In a world rapidly embracing automation and intelligent machines, underwater robotics remains one of the most challenging and least explored frontiers. Yet, it is in this complex domain that Arnav Mehta, Co-Founder of Planys Robotics, has emerged as one of India’s most influential deep-tech innovators. His work is redefining how industries inspect, understand, and protect underwater assets ushering in a new era of indigenous hardware innovation built for global scale.rnav’s journey into underwater robotics began not with ambitions of entrepreneurship, but with a fascination for the unseen world beneath the surface. While studying engineering, he became deeply interested in marine technology—particularly the challenges associated with maintaining underwater structures. Unlike most engineering problems, underwater environments present a blend of complexity: poor visibility, high pressure, corrosion, unpredictable terrain, and near-zero margin for human intervention. India, with thousands of kilometres of coastline and massive reliance on maritime infrastructure, urgently required homegrown solutions. Arnav recognized this gap early and made it his mission to fill it.
Arnav mehta
The Visionary Engineer Powering India’s Underwater Robotics Revolution
This vision eventually evolved into Planys Robotics, a pioneering startup building advanced AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) and remotely operated inspection robots engineered specifically for Indian and tropical conditions. Arnav’s approach was unconventional yet deeply practical: instead of merely replicating Western designs, he and his team focused on creating systems tailored to the needs of ports, dams, oil & gas facilities, desalination plants, and defense operations. The result was a suite of compact, intelligent robots capable of navigating murky waters, inspecting structural damage, mapping underwater assets, and providing real-time data with unmatched accuracy.
One of Arnav’s signature strengths lies in bridging the gap between cutting-edge robotics and the real operational challenges faced by industries. Under his leadership, Planys Robotics developed solutions that combine modular design, adaptive AI, precision sensors, and robust material engineering. The robots can operate in difficult environments where divers cannot—saving time, reducing risks, and ensuring continuity for critical infrastructure. From detecting cracks in pipelines to inspecting ship hulls, Arnav’s creations are reshaping how underwater maintenance is carried out.
Arnav’s contributions extend far beyond engineering. He is one of the few entrepreneurs in India who truly understands the power of indigenous hardware innovation. While software startups often dominate the spotlight, hardware ventures face higher risks, longer development cycles, and more complex funding challenges. Yet Arnav remained unfazed. His conviction, combined with robust R&D, eventually earned the trust of major industries and government bodies. Planys Robotics soon became a preferred partner for underwater inspections, and its technology found traction across multiple sectors including maritime infrastructure, public utilities, energy companies, and defence organizations.
The defense sector has taken a keen interest in his innovations. India’s vast coastline requires constant surveillance, and underwater robotics provides an edge in mapping critical zones, identifying intrusions, and monitoring strategic locations discreetly and efficiently. Arnav’s robots are now part of India’s growing defence-tech ecosystem, contributing to national security in ways that were once possible only through imported technology.
As Planys Robotics expanded, Arnav began exploring global markets, especially in regions with similar environmental conditions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. His goal is not just to export technology but to position India as a global leader in underwater robotics—a country known for engineering excellence, reliability, and innovation. This ambition has earned him recognition as one of 2025’s most watched founders, especially in the deep-tech space where breakthroughs are rare but transformative.
What sets Arnav apart as a leader is his philosophy of purposeful innovation. For him, technology is not built for novelty; it is built to solve real problems. This mindset permeates his team’s culture from rigorous testing cycles to long hours spent understanding client challenges. His ability to translate complex engineering concepts into practical solutions has made him a trusted voice in the robotics community.
Despite his achievements, Arnav remains grounded and deeply committed to nurturing India’s future talent. He frequently mentor’s young engineers, encourages cross-disciplinary research, and advocates for stronger support systems for hardware startups. He believes India’s next wave of innovation will be led by builders’ people who design, engineer, and manufacture world-class technology rather than rely on external systems.
Today, Arnav Mehta stands at the intersection of innovation, impact, and national progress. Through Planys Robotics, he is not only bringing underwater robotics into the mainstream but also rewriting the narrative about what Indian deep-tech companies can accomplish. His journey is a testament to resilience, intellect, and the power of bold ideas proof that when technology meets purpose, it can reshape entire industries and open new possibilities beneath the surface of the ocean.
