SR Robotics (SRR), a Katowice-based innovator in underwater robotics, has just secured over €8.4 million in funding from a fund managed by Vinci, a company within the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego Group. This investment marks the culmination of SRR’s strategic investor search and sets the stage for significant expansion in the underwater technology sector.
Tomasz Hartwig, CEO and Co-founder of SR Robotics, expressed his vision for the future: “Our goal is to shape the future of underwater technology. We are developing innovative products, and, in selected areas, we offer solutions with a unique competitive advantage and an attractive RaaS business model.” With Vinci’s support, SRR plans to scale up operations and enhance the availability of its services under a subscription model.
Founded in 2017, SRR operates in two primary areas: the development of remotely operated and autonomous underwater robots, and eco-friendly ship hull cleaning services. The company’s robots are designed for dual-use applications, serving both civil and defence sectors. These robots can detect and neutralise unexploded ordnance (UXO) and chemical weapons, map the seabed, and safeguard critical underwater infrastructure and strategic ports. SRR’s service model includes providing configured robots, full operator support, remote diagnostics, monitoring, and maintenance, effectively eliminating the need for capital investment in purchasing robots or servicing costs.
SRR’s portfolio includes a range of innovative robots such as the Crab Bottom Crawler, the Octopus ROV, the ASV Narwal, the Nautilus ROV, and the MagRob CL and MagRob AC. One of SRR’s standout features is the integration of artificial intelligence to support underwater operations, including systems for analysing sensor data and identifying submerged objects. This technology is particularly relevant for the offshore sector, including offshore wind farms, and plays a crucial role in strengthening energy security.
Another key area of SRR’s activities is the design and manufacture of magnetic robots for cleaning ship hulls and other hard-to-reach underwater surfaces. The company plans to deploy its hull cleaning service starting with Poland’s main ports, with intentions to expand to key European harbours. This initiative aligns with ecological sustainability goals and the protection of local marine ecosystems, in line with EU environmental regulations.
SRR is also contributing to the development of Polish expertise in underwater robotics through educational activities conducted in collaboration with the Maritime Economy Vocational Training Centre in Szczecin, the Maritime University in Gdynia, and the Silesian University of Technology.
Bartosz Drabikowski, CEO of Vinci S.A., highlighted the broader implications of the investment: “Investing in SR Robotics is about more than just supporting technological development; it’s also about building national competence in protecting critical underwater infrastructure, such as cables and pipelines. Furthermore, it is an investment in the security of strategic data for the Polish maritime area, including any infrastructure developed there, such as wind farms.” He recognised SRR’s potential as a leader in underwater robotics, with a market-ready product portfolio and a clearly defined commercialisation strategy.
According to SR Robotics, maritime transport is a vital part of the global economy, accounting for 90% of international trade in goods while generating around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. SRR’s technology aims to address both economic and environmental challenges. Fuel costs account for around 60% of the total cost of maritime freight, and microflora on ship hulls can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. With the recent introduction of CO₂ charges (ETS) in maritime transport, SRR’s solution has gained added significance.
SRR’s underwater vehicles can conduct geophysical and ferromagnetic surveys for offshore investments in all weather conditions. They can visually survey the seabed, including conducting underwater inspections in areas that are difficult or impossible for humans to access. These robots can perform dangerous tasks that would otherwise put divers at risk and support them in additional work. Using sonar technology, underwater objects, including hydrotechnical infrastructure, can be monitored even in poor visibility.
Mirosław Czekaj, President of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, emphasised the strategic importance of the investment: “The BGK Group’s investment in SR Robotics is fully aligned with BGK’s 2025–2030 strategy, one of the pillars of which is providing both banking and equity support for the development of cutting-edge technologies, including those applied within our national defense sector. The dual-use technology offered by SR Robotics is not just about gaining a market edge – it is also a matter of national security. Poland needs reliable suppliers of underwater technologies, because this serves our country’s vital interests.”
This investment comes against the backdrop of recent concerns over Russian interference with underwater cables, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently accusing Russia of using dark fleet tankers to damage undersea infrastructure, as reported