Yanmar Holdings and Sony Group have formed a new joint venture, YANMAR BLUE TECH Co., Ltd., to advance underwater sensing and promote marine sustainability. The company, 90% owned by Yanmar, was founded on September 8 and began operations on October 1, 2025.
The partnership combines Yanmar’s experience in marine and aquaculture technology with Sony’s expertise in imaging and sensing systems. Together, they aim to develop solutions that address environmental challenges such as ecosystem preservation and the shortage of skilled underwater workers.
The joint venture’s first project focuses on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for hull cleaning and underwater inspection. Yanmar is developing a high-pressure water jet ROV with advanced debris collection, while Sony contributes global-shutter image sensors, image processing, and 3D spatial sensing technologies. These capabilities will allow precise navigation and clear underwater imaging even in turbid conditions.
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