Boxfish Research
Boxfish Research (Boxfish Robotics) is a New Zealand-based manufacturer of hovering autonomous underwater vehicles, inspection ROVs, and a resident AUV for marine science, environmental monitoring, cinematography, commercial diving, and offshore wind customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Boxfish Research does
Boxfish Research, operating commercially as Boxfish Robotics, is a privately held New Zealand-based designer and manufacturer of specialised underwater vehicles headquartered in Auckland. Founded in 2016 by a team of divers, engineers, and software developers, the company builds hovering autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), expedition and inspection remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and an autonomous underwater resident vehicle (ARV-i) co-developed with Krona Subsea. Its core product line spans the Boxfish AUV, ARV-i, Boxfish Luna (8K-capable ROV for filmmakers), Boxfish ROV (research-grade ROV), and Boxfish Alpha (rapid-deployment inspection ROV to 1000m), supported by accessories including photogrammetry modules and custom engineering services. The technology relies on true tetherless autonomy, precision hovering, and high-resolution underwater imaging, with three granted US patents and a registered industrial design protecting the core architecture.
The company serves five primary vertical markets: marine science and research institutions, environmental monitoring, cinematography and filmmaking, commercial diving, and offshore wind. Named customers include Leaf Global Environmental Services (using Boxfish Alpha as a core survey instrument), the University of Auckland (Boxfish AUV for research), and Inspired Planet Productions (Boxfish Luna for natural history documentary work). Boxfish monetises through hardware sales of AUVs and ROVs, professional services (custom underwater solutions and customer training, offered online and in-person), and accessories/add-ons. Distribution is direct enterprise field sales with a 'Where to Buy' channel and live demonstrations at specialist industry events such as ICRS 2026 in Auckland; the company maintains a broad organic social and content marketing presence across LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, and case-study-driven web content.
Funding is minimal, with only two disclosed rounds totalling approximately NZD 22,966 from New Zealand government innovation agency Callaghan Innovation (2017 and 2023). No institutional venture or private equity investors, parent companies, M&A activity, or revenue disclosures were identified. The company appears to be founder-led (co-founder Craig Anderson), operating with 11–50 employees under the legal entity Boxfish Robotics Limited, with all disclosed operating geographies in Oceania/New Zealand despite a global direct-sales posture.
Boxfish Research firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Boxfish Research
- Legal name
- Boxfish Robotics Limited
- Website
- https://boxfish.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Boxfish Research (Boxfish Robotics) is a New Zealand-based manufacturer of hovering autonomous underwater vehicles, inspection ROVs, and a resident AUV for marine science, environmental monitoring, cinematography, commercial diving, and offshore wind customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Boxfish Research industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Underwater Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles
- NAICS
- Ship and Boat Building (33661), Ship and Boat Building (3366)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing (IMAJAOAC), Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations (IMABAKAJ)
Keywords
Where Boxfish Research is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Auckland
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Boxfish Research business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Underwater Vehicle Sales: Sale of specialized AUVs (Boxfish AUV, ARV-i) and ROVs (Boxfish Luna, Boxfish ROV, Boxfish Alpha) for marine research, cinematography, commercial diving, and environmental monitoring applications
- Custom Underwater Solutions: Bespoke engineering services and custom underwater solutions for specific operational requirements
- Accessories and Add-ons: Sale of ROV accessories including photogrammetry tools and other operational add-ons
- Training Services: Customer training programs (online and in-person) to ensure teams can operate Boxfish equipment with confidence
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels11 records
Boxfish Research product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Boxfish Research manufactures and sells tethered-free hovering autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for marine science, environmental monitoring, underwater cinematography, commercial diving, and offshore wind applications. The product portfolio spans the Boxfish AUV, ARV-i resident vehicle, Boxfish Luna (8K filming), Boxfish ROV (science), and Boxfish Alpha (inspection), complemented by custom engineering services and accessories.
Product overview
Boxfish Robotics (Boxfish Research) offers a portfolio of underwater solutions comprising hovering AUVs, expedition ROVs, and underwater resident vehicles. The product lineup includes the Boxfish AUV (tetherless autonomous vehicle for marine science), ARV-i (autonomous resident vehicle for secure operations without human presence), Boxfish Luna (8K ROV for filmmakers), Boxfish ROV (advanced science/research ROV), and Boxfish Alpha (inspection ROV). The products serve diverse markets including marine research, environmental monitoring, cinematography, commercial diving, and offshore wind sectors. Accessories and custom solutions complement the core product range.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Boxfish AUV
Quantifiable outcome
- Deployment to 1000 meters from any vessel with highly functional inspection ROV capabilities beyond most in its class
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Boxfish Research
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Boxfish Research technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
Boxfish Research partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Krona SubseacoreKrona Subsea partnered with Boxfish Robotics to co-develop the ARV-i autonomous underwater resident vehicle. This strategic collaboration combined Boxfish's hovering AUV expertise with Krona Subsea's resident vehicle technology to create a cutting-edge tetherless autonomous underwater vehicle designed for secure underwater operations without the need for offshore human presence.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Boxfish Research competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Boxfish Research social profiles
Digital presenceBoxfish Research financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Boxfish Research leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Boxfish Research funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Boxfish Research M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Boxfish Research
What does Boxfish Research do?
Boxfish Research manufactures and sells tethered-free hovering autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for marine science, environmental monitoring, underwater cinematography, commercial diving, and offshore wind applications. The product portfolio spans the Boxfish AUV, ARV-i resident vehicle, Boxfish Luna (8K filming), Boxfish ROV (science), and Boxfish Alpha (inspection), complemented by custom engineering services and accessories.
Is Boxfish Research a public or private company?
Boxfish Research is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Boxfish Research founded?
Boxfish Research was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Boxfish Research based?
Boxfish Research is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Boxfish Research make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Underwater Vehicle Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Underwater Solutions, accessories and Add-ons and training Services.
Does Boxfish Research have an API?
No public API is recorded for Boxfish Research.
What industry is Boxfish Research in?
Boxfish Research's product category is Underwater Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAAIAH, Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs), with a secondary code of IMAJAOAC, Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 33661 and its SIC code is 3812.