US Navy Turns to Robots and AI for Enhanced Vessel Maintenance and Longevity
How Gecko Robotics’ Innovations Are Revolutionizing Fleet Maintenance with Wall-Climbing Robots and AI
The U.S. Navy is taking a major step forward in improving its fleet maintenance and operational readiness by embracing cutting-edge robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Thanks to a new partnership with Gecko Robotics, the Navy will integrate wall-climbing robots and AI-powered analytics to reduce maintenance delays and extend the lifespan of its ships and submarines.
Gecko Robotics, a tech company founded by Jake Loosararian, has developed sophisticated robots designed to perform detailed inspections and diagnostics, capturing millions of data points from vital defense structures. According to the company, this technological leap could transform fleet maintenance and bolster national defense capabilities by keeping Navy vessels mission-ready.
“We’re proud to grow our partnership with the Navy around keeping ships in the fight and increasing the pace of production on the Columbia,” said Loosararian, referencing the Columbia-class submarine program in a press release. “Making sure the brave men and women of the U.S. Navy have the tools they need to perform their vital missions safely and effectively is the perfect example of what our team wakes up every morning focused on.”
Transforming Fleet Maintenance with Robots and AI
The introduction of wall-climbing robots promises to drastically reduce labor hours spent on routine ship inspections. These robots are capable of scanning hard-to-reach areas, like ship hulls and internal structures, capturing 4.2 million data points—a staggering leap from the fewer than 100 data points typically captured through traditional methods. This detailed inspection capability will allow for real-time assessments and preventative maintenance, significantly enhancing the Navy’s ability to identify and fix structural issues before they escalate.
By feeding the data collected into Gecko’s AI-powered operations platform, called Cantilever, the Navy can now optimize maintenance schedules, reduce unforeseen repairs, and ensure faster turnaround times for getting ships back to sea. This approach is expected to be particularly crucial in maintaining the Navy’s Columbia-class submarines—a new generation of strategic missile submarines that are vital to U.S. defense.
From College Project to Defense Industry Innovation
Gecko Robotics’ journey began in 2013, evolving from a college engineering project that Loosararian developed at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Originally designed to address structural issues at a local power plant, the prototype quickly proved its value. After redesigning the robot’s hardware and refining the technology, Loosararian launched Gecko Robotics with the aim of revolutionizing structural inspections across industries.
Initially self-funded, Loosararian went through several co-founders and endured years of financial strain to keep the company afloat. His persistence paid off when the company started partnering with the U.S. Navy in 2023, providing essential maintenance technology for ships and submarines. Since then, Gecko Robotics has seen a 400% increase in adoption by the Navy throughout 2024.
Expanding to Aircraft Carriers and Beyond
As Gecko Robotics continues to expand its partnership with the Navy, the next phase will see the technology applied to aircraft carriers. By gathering granular data on the health of these massive vessels, the Navy will be able to reduce downtime and unexpected maintenance for its entire fleet. This could have a profound impact on the Navy’s overall operational readiness, ensuring that the fleet is prepared for rapid deployment in times of need.
“That data is then fed into Gecko’s AI-powered operations platform, Cantilever, to help substantially reduce growth work, maintenance timelines, and help the ships get back to sea faster,” the company noted in its press release. “The new deals cement Gecko’s role in building and maintaining critical defense assets that support both national and global security.”
Key Takeaways
Gecko Robotics’ use of robots and AI in fleet maintenance represents a significant leap forward in how the U.S. Navy manages its defense assets. By reducing delays and extending the life of vessels, this partnership sets a new standard for maintenance and readiness. Furthermore, the Navy’s adoption of this technology highlights the growing role of AI and robotics in global military operations, making the U.S. a leader in using innovative tools to safeguard its fleet.
The integration of Gecko’s robots and AI not only helps the Navy streamline maintenance but also ensures that ships, submarines, and aircraft carriers remain ready for action—an advantage that could play a crucial role in both national defense and global security.
With the potential for further advancements and wider adoption across the Navy’s fleet, Gecko’s innovations signal a future where robotic and AI technologies become integral to military operations, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in vessel health management.
What do you think about the use of robots and AI in military fleet maintenance? Would these innovations help ensure global security? Let us know by writing us at technode@substack.com.
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