Gecko Robotics has secured a $71 million contract with the U.S. Navy to deploy its artificial intelligence and robotics technology across 18 ships in the Pacific Fleet, according to multiple reports. The Pittsburgh-based company's wall-climbing robots, drones, and sensors will inspect ship structures for corrosion, metal fatigue, and weld defects up to 50 times faster than traditional manual methods.
Key Takeaways
Gecko Robotics has secured a $71 million contract with the U.S. Navy to deploy its AI-powered robotics technology across 18 ships in the Pacific Fleet over five years.
- Gecko's robots will identify structural issues up to 50 times faster than manual inspections
- The deal aims to boost ship readiness from about 40% to 80% by 2027
- Technology includes wall-climbing robots, drones, and sensors creating digital twins of vessels
- Contract valued at $54 million initially with potential for more awards
The five-year contract begins with an initial award of $54 million and aims to significantly improve fleet readiness. Currently, about 40% of the Navy's fleet is unavailable at any given time due to lengthy maintenance cycles. Gecko's technology creates digital replicas of vessels, allowing for early detection of structural problems and reducing repair times.
According to CBS News, Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick praised the partnership as an advancement in American defense capabilities. The robots will be deployed across destroyers, amphibious warships, and littoral combat ships. Gecko CEO Jake Loosararian emphasized the importance of readiness, stating that prediction through robotics ensures military advantage.
TechCrunch reports that this is the largest robotics deal yet for the U.S. Navy as it seeks to modernize maintenance processes. The technology aims to help the Navy reach its goal of 80% fleet readiness by 2027, addressing critical maintenance backlogs and workforce shortages in shipyards.
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