US Navy contracts Gecko Robotics for hull inspection robots

The United States Navy signed a 300 million dollar contract with Gecko Robotics in October 2026 to supply artificial intelligence powered wall-crawling robots, SlashGear reported. The technology will be used to help inspect ships and accelerate repair processes. [1]

Saltwater causes corrosion and can lead to structural cracks in ship hulls that are difficult for workers to locate. SlashGear reported that the public raised concerns after the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln returned to port covered in rust in August 2026, although officials noted that rusting is standard during long deployments at sea. [1]

Shipbuilding and maintenance take place in specialized facilities known as shipyards. Modern shipbuilders follow a specialized profession with origins that precede recorded history. [4]

The artificial intelligence systems on the new wall-crawling robots are designed to identify subtle hull damage before major issues develop. According to SlashGear, the deployment aims to reduce the time and expense required for routine naval maintenance. [1]