The Trailblazer

As an engineering student at the National University of Singapore in 2012, Grace Chia discovered that traditional underwater inspections using work-class ROVs involved high risks and high operational costs. With an interest in autonomous robotics, she began experimenting with solutions to overcome these constraints.

The Beginning

Chia founded an autonomous underwater robotics club in the National University of Singapore. In 2013, Chia team won the Best New Entry award in RoboSub, US, validating the team’s vision.

Cementing the Gap

While working in a ROV company, Chia gained a front-row seat to a quiet contradiction: the deeper the industry pushed, the heavier and more expensive the machinery required to get there. What looked like progress was also a ceiling. She didn't just see the gap. She understood exactly why it had been allowed to stay.

Transforming Underwater Capabilities at Scale

BeeX now designs and operates a fleet of fully autonomous underwater drones built for inspections across defense, energy, and coastal infrastructure. What began as a response to an industry-scale dilemma is now a proven capability, deployed in some of the world's most demanding subsea environments.