SeeWise is at the forefront of transforming Asia’s manufacturing landscape with its pioneering deep-tech solutions. By integrating AI, computer vision, and machine learning, the company offers a real-time smart factory solution that systematically enhances productivity, safety, and quality. Guided by industry experts worldwide, SeeWise is setting new standards for manufacturing excellence. Its real-time monitoring capabilities and seamless integration with existing systems are enabling companies to modernize their processes with unprecedented ease.

We caught up with SeeWise’s founder, Balaji D Loganathan, over an engaging Zoom meeting where he shared insights into the company’s journey, the challenges faced, and his vision for how AI will shape the future of manufacturing. In the background, we noticed a framed factory blueprint—a subtle reminder of his deep roots in the manufacturing world.

The Journey to Success

In the first few minutes, he takes us back to the inception of SeeWise during our online conversation, describing the challenges that ignited his drive for change. As we discussed the early days of the company over chai teas and coffees, he explained how everyday inefficiencies in manufacturing sparked his determination to make a difference.

1. What specific problem did you set out to solve when starting this company, and why was it meaningful to you?

He recalls, “I often saw manufacturing plants losing substantial money due to issues that simply should have been preventable—unexpected equipment breakdowns, inefficient processes, and, most concerning, workplace injuries. The traditional approach of merely installing sensors wasn’t enough.” With firsthand experience of these challenges, he was driven to implement solutions addressing both financial inefficiency and human risks. For instance, SeeWise’s Safety AI goes beyond detecting whether a worker wears a helmet; it monitors forklift movements, gauges human proximity to critical zones, evaluates fire risks, and even assesses ergonomics to reduce injuries. Its Production AI ensures that standard operating procedures are followed while tracking downtime, wastage, and operator efficiency. Additionally, Tracker AI digitizes truck movement, parking, and weighbridge operations—areas that inefficiencies and risks had plagued.

For him, the significance lies in the impact—helping clients reduce truck cycle times by 20%, lower accident risks, and bring full transparency to processes that once relied on guesswork. “It’s about fixing what’s broken in the system using intelligent technology that aligns with the evolving demands of Industry 5.0,” he emphasizes.

2. What is the core technology or AI model that makes your product or service stand out from competitors?

SeeWise leverages a Large Vision Model (LVM) tailored for manufacturing—a solution that goes beyond traditional IIoT sensor-based monitoring. “Our AI harnesses computer vision and edge computing to detect safety risks, inefficiencies, and equipment failures in real time,” he explains. His genuine enthusiasm shone through as he described how this advanced system comprehends the complexities of factory environments, reducing downtime and enhancing safety without costly sensor installations. The platform also integrates effortlessly with existing PLC, MES, and VMS systems, enabling manufacturers to adopt the technology without a complete infrastructure overhaul.

3. What was the biggest early challenge and how did you push through it?

One major hurdle was overcoming the skepticism of industrial veterans accustomed to decades-old practices. “For many, embracing AI in a field that had remained unchanged for over 30 years was a daunting leap,” he reveals. The turning point came when SeeWise shifted from talking about AI to showcasing measurable results. Real-world pilots demonstrated undeniable improvements—less downtime, fewer accidents, and improved efficiency. “Once we presented the data showing a clear return on investment, even the staunchest skeptics started to take notice,” he notes.

The SeeWise Way

We then move onto the methodology behind SeeWise’s sustained innovation and scalability. With the same enthusiastic voice and swift keystrokes, Balaji let us in on their secrets of continuous learning and adaptive strategies, which have empowered the company to stay ahead in an ever-changing industrial landscape.

1. How do you ensure your AI systems remain innovative and scalable as the industry evolves?

At SeeWise, continuous innovation is driven by a deep connection to the real-world environments of Southeast Asian factories. The company operates on a 24/7 learning loop—every camera feed becomes valuable training data. Edge devices capture visual and contextual information from production lines, worker behavior, safety compliance, and machine interactions, all processed securely on-premise and in the cloud. “This dynamic approach allows us to retrain our models with hyper-local industrial scenarios. For example, our galvanizing and furnace monitoring templates evolve over time, adapting to the unique nuances of each facility,” he explains.

Moreover, SeeWise is building towards an even more robust Large Vision Model powered by NVIDIA GPUs. This model, designed to address the 4M—Man, Machine, Material, and Method—continues to learn from the expanding data set of its client base, enhancing both intelligence and scalability with every deployment.

2. Beyond profit, what impact do you want your company to have on the world or your industry?

He confides, “I often lose sleep thinking about the millions of preventable accidents in factories every year. That’s what drives me.” He envisions a future where factory accidents are not seen as an unavoidable part of the job. SeeWise aspires to set a new standard—a world where zero-incident workplaces become the norm. “It’s not just about safety; it’s about partnering humans with AI to enhance capabilities. In the era of Industry 5.0, we imagine factories as intelligent environments that continuously optimise themselves, with humans and AI working together in innovative ways.”

The Future Vision

Afterwards, the conversation shifts to the challenges of scaling SeeWise’s innovations and the transformative trends that he believes will redefine the manufacturing industry.

1. What is your biggest bottleneck to scaling the business right now, and what are you doing to address it?

The primary challenge has been scaling AI adoption among traditional manufacturers, especially those still reliant on legacy systems and manual processes. “The shift from one-time purchases to a recurring revenue model based on operational expenditure is a tough transition for many,” he observes. To address this, SeeWise focuses on seamless integration. Its AI doesn’t require a complete overhaul of existing PLCs, MES, or VMS systems—it enhances them. By building partnerships with industrial giants and local resellers, SeeWise is earning trust and accelerating adoption through proven real-world use cases.

2. What fundamental shift in your industry are you anticipating, and how are you positioning the company to take advantage of it?

Balaji sees a fundamental shift from a CAPEX-dominated model to one rooted in operational expenditure (OPEX), which allows for scalable, continuous improvements. “This shift will lead to higher recurring revenue, stronger customer retention, and predictable growth,” he explains. With modular AI adoption, strategic industrial partnerships, and data-backed success stories, the company is on track towards a $100 million revenue target within five years—driven by this shift to OPEX growth.

Final words

As our conversation drew to a close, we asked him for his most valuable advice to startup founders. His advice was both clear and compelling:

“Startups succeed not just by having great ideas, but by executing them well and adapting quickly. Focus on solving real-world problems that yield tangible business impacts rather than simply showcasing technical innovation. Build trust with strong industry relationships, and let your results speak for themselves.”

SeeWise truly embodies this philosophy, addressing critical manufacturing challenges with precision and scalability. Inspired by their innovative vision and the thoughtful insights shared during our online meeting, we eagerly look forward to watching SeeWise redefine manufacturing standards and lead the transformative journey into Industry 5.0.