WATCH: Wall-climbing robot swarms crawl US Navy warships as China’s fleet surges

WATCH: Wall-climbing robot swarms crawl US Navy warships as China’s fleet surges

Pennsylvania-based Gecko Robotics develops AI-powered machines that scale hulls and flight decks to scan for structural problems

Swarms of wall-climbing robots will soon be crawling across U.S. Navy warships in a $71 million effort to slash repair delays and boost fleet readiness as China continues expanding its naval power. (Gecko Robotics )

Under the five-year contract, Gecko will begin work on 18 ships in the U.S. Pacific Fleet, with the initial award valued at up to $54 million. The contract vehicle is structured to allow other military services to access the technology as well. (Gecko Robotics )

The inspections will focus on destroyers, amphibious warships and littoral combat ships — vessels that form a core part of U.S. naval operations in the Indo-Pacific. (Gecko Robotics )