June 18, Singapore — BeeX, Singapore's pioneer in autonomous underwater drone technology, today, joined the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to inaugurate the Autonomous Marine Foundry (AMF) at SIT Punggol Campus. The AMF is a purpose-built hub for maritime robotics innovation, applied research, and engineering talent development, bringing together BeeX's decade-long expertise in underwater autonomy with SIT's strength in applied learning.
The AMF Lab includes a live test zone along the SIT Punggol Campus waterfront for autonomous systems, supported by BeeX’s investment into a davit crane for live drone launch and recovery. The investment signals BeeX's intent to make the facility a proving ground for next-generation maritime robotics for faster product innovation and real-world deployment.
The AMF is purpose-built for longevity, supporting the full innovation lifecycle for autonomous robotics: from early-stage research and prototyping to field trials and industry deployment. Through the collaboration, BeeX and SIT are strengthening Singapore's position as a centre of excellence for autonomous maritime systems across port management, national infrastructure, coastal protection, and offshore energy.
Talent development is equally central to the AMF's mission. BeeX and SIT share a conviction that the autonomous marine industry can only scale if Singapore systematically cultivates engineers who can build, operate, and innovate with these systems.
Through structured Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP) attachments, capstone projects, co-developed workshops, and mentorship programmes, BeeX and SIT are jointly developing Singapore’s local talent in the field of marine robotic autonomy. BeeX engineers will also work with SIT students on live engineering challenges, supporting Team OtiPrime, SIT's entry into the 2026 Maritime RobotX Challenge in Singapore, for mentorship in autonomous systems, underwater sensing, and robotics deployment.
The AMF also advances the broader vision of the Punggol Digital District as Singapore's premier precinct-scale testbed for emerging technologies.
"Partnering with SIT to establish the Autonomous Marine Foundry is a milestone for BeeX and for the autonomous marine industry in Singapore. The AMF gives us the infrastructure, the institutional relationship, and the talent access to accelerate the development and real-world deployment of autonomous underwater systems. Together, we are building the ecosystem that will define maritime robotics in Singapore — and beyond."
— Grace Chia, CEO & Co-founder, BeeX
"The Autonomous Marine Foundry embodies what it means for SIT to be a premier university of applied learning. Through Integrated Work Study Programme attachments, capstone projects, mentorship and other applied learning opportunities, our students will work alongside BeeX engineers on real engineering challenges."
— Professor Susanna Leong, Provost, Singapore Institute of Technology
