Gecko Robotics, a Pittsburgh-based company specializing in robots and sensors for inspecting large industrial assets, has secured a significant robotics contract with the U.S. Navy. The five-year IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) contract, in partnership with the U.S. General Services Administration, involves utilizing Gecko’s robots and sensors to monitor and predict maintenance needs for the Navy’s fleet of ships.
The initial $54 million award, with a maximum value of $71 million, will kickstart the deployment of Gecko’s technology on 18 ships within the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Gecko’s robots will meticulously inspect every part of the ships, creating detailed digital replicas, commonly known as ‘digital twins,’ to aid in asset monitoring and maintenance planning. By leveraging this technology, the Navy aims to proactively address maintenance issues, reduce downtime, and cut operational costs.
This partnership aligns with the Navy’s objective to enhance its ship readiness to 80% by 2027, a substantial increase from the current 40% availability due to extended maintenance periods. With annual maintenance costs ranging from $13 billion to $20 billion, the efficiency gains from Gecko’s robotics solutions could play a crucial role in optimizing asset utilization within the Navy’s fleet.
Source: TechCrunch