Planys: Redefining Underwater Inspection and Maritime Warfare

Chennai-based Planys Technologies is redefining how the world inspects and maintains critical underwater infrastructure. Founded in 2015 by IIT Madras alumni Tanuj Jhunjhunwala and Vineet Upadhyay, the startup was born from a campus research project that evolved into a mission-driven enterprise tackling a long-ignored problem: safe, effective, and data-driven inspection of submerged structures.

The Spark Beneath the Surface

The inspiration behind Planys stemmed from a stark realisation during their academic journey—most underwater inspections were either manual, risky, or skipped altogether due to a lack of viable technology.

"Imagine a world without X-rays or MRIs in healthcare," says Tanuj. "That was the state of infrastructure inspections underwater." Teaming up with Professors Krishnan Balasubramanian and Prabhu Rajagopal, they set out to replace subjective human judgment with robust data and intelligent analysis.

Building the Future, Below the Waterline

"Planys"—a Greek word for "Rover"—is more than just a name. It represents an integrated system combining cutting-edge robotics with proprietary underwater non-destructive testing (NDT) and AI-enabled analytics. From inspecting dams and bridges to refineries and ports, Planys collects critical data, processes it using advanced algorithms, and presents actionable insights through an intuitive visualisation dashboard.

Their offerings have expanded beyond civil infrastructure. With support from India's IDEX defence innovation program, Planys now designs indigenous autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for defence applications like mine countermeasures, ISR missions, and port security.

A Team Anchored in Innovation

Led by CEO Tanuj Jhunjhunwala and CTO Vineet Upadhyay, Planys boasts a multidisciplinary team of 120+ specialists in engineering, software, and business development. The company emphasises hiring individuals with technical depth, a collaborative mindset, and a drive to create impact.

A Broken System, Reimagined

Traditional inspection methods rely heavily on divers and offer limited data, posing risks to both human safety and infrastructure integrity. Moreover, the collected data is typically unstructured and non-digital, making it hard to analyse. Planys addresses these pain points through its full-stack solution: robotic platforms equipped with NDT tools, AI-driven data processing, and digital reporting.

From Innovation to Impact

The numbers speak volumes. Planys has inspected over 450 structures across 10 countries, issued more than 10,000 critical alerts, and developed 12 indigenous products backed by over 30 patents. Its client list includes industry heavyweights like Reliance, Shell, Indian Railways, and the Port of Rotterdam.

With a global market potential exceeding $60 billion annually, the opportunity is vast. India alone has over 5000 dams, 300,000+ bridges, and 200 ports—ripe for technological intervention.

Funding the Vision

To date, Planys has raised $7.5 million from investors such as Ashish Kacholia, Samarthya Investment, and Kris Gopalakrishnan. These funds have fueled product development, talent acquisition, and international expansion.

Competitive Edge and Challenges

While competitors exist in silos—either as diver-based services or robotic OEMs—Planys stands out with its holistic platform combining robotics, advanced NDT, and AI. Challenges remain, especially in scaling operations globally while maintaining service quality and navigating complex regulatory landscapes.

Early challenges included scepticism from traditional industries and long sales cycles. But as Tanuj reflects, "Deep tech requires deep trust. It's a long game, but the impact is profound."

By transforming how underwater assets are inspected and maintained, Planys Technologies is doing more than innovating—it’s safeguarding lives, economies, and ecosystems. Its journey underscores a powerful lesson: that with patience, purpose, and persistent innovation, even the most entrenched problems can be solved from the depths.

Looking Ahead

In the short term, Planys aims to expand both its inspection services and defence manufacturing capabilities. Long-term, the goal is ambitious yet clear: to become the global benchmark for underwater infrastructure integrity.