Gecko Robotics Secures $71 Million Contract With U.S. Navy

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 17, 2026

Gecko Robotics secured a $71 million contract with the United States Navy to support ship inspection and maintenance. The agreement focuses on robotics used to improve repair processes across naval infrastructure. U.S. authorities are increasing spending on defense modernization, including shipbuilding and maintenance capacity.

Technology That Redefines Maintenance

Gecko Robotics develops robots designed to operate across ship hulls and industrial infrastructure. These systems use sensors and cameras to collect inspection data in real time. According to the company, maintenance timelines can be reduced from several months to a few days in certain cases. Inspection speeds are also higher compared with manual processes.

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A Push For Fleet Readiness

CEO Jake Loosararian said current maintenance processes require modernization to meet operational targets. The U.S. Navy aims to reach 80% fleet readiness by 2027. Gecko said its technology is designed to support faster repairs and improve the allocation of maintenance resources.

Disrupting Traditional Defense Contractors

U.S. defense agencies have increasingly engaged technology firms to upgrade existing systems. Companies such as Gecko Robotics are developing tools based on automation and data analysis. Loosararian said the effectiveness of AI systems depends on the quality of data collected during inspections. He added that software alone cannot replace physical infrastructure analysis.

Broad Industry Partnerships And Strategic Impact

Gecko Robotics works with companies across defense, energy and manufacturing sectors. Partners include L3Harris Technologies and Freeport-McMoRan. These collaborations focus on inspection systems used in industrial and defense environments.

A Future Defined By Disruption

Valued at $1.25 billion following a $125 million funding round in June, Gecko Robotics epitomizes the disruptive force of technological innovation in defense. As the U.S. continues to upgrade its military infrastructure, the integration of flight, aquatic, and climbing robotics is set to become a cornerstone of modern defense logistics, reaffirming the indispensable role of advanced technology in national security.

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Meta’s $18 Billion Settlement Limits State Claims Over Children’s Data

by News Editor

August 28, 2026

Meta’s $18 billion settlement with attorneys general from 29 U.S. states includes a provision limiting future state claims over the company’s use of children’s data for age-assurance systems.

Under the agreement, Meta must develop, train and begin testing a system to identify users under 13 within a year of the settlement taking effect. The company already uses AI-based age-detection tools, although the agreement does not require the new system to use AI.

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States Agree To Limits On Future Claims

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) generally restricts the collection and retention of personal data from children under 13. Under the settlement, the 29 state attorneys general agreed not to bring past, present or future claims under COPPA or similar state laws over the specified use of children’s data.

Meta will not be permitted to use information from users under 13 for advertising, marketing or algorithmic optimisation.

Federal Enforcement Remains Unclear

COPPA is primarily enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which is not a party to the agreement. That leaves open the possibility of separate federal action over how Meta collects or uses children’s data.

Another issue is whether Meta can keep age-assurance data isolated from its other systems. An independent auditor will monitor compliance, but the settlement does not fully specify what data Meta can retain for training, how long it can be stored or whether derived insights can be used elsewhere.

Legal Risks Remain

Joshua Wurtzel, a partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan, said states could still pursue claims if Meta uses the data outside the settlement’s limits. Such cases could depend on how those limits are interpreted.

Peter Jackson, a data and intellectual property attorney at Greenberg Glusker, said the provision could “disincentivize future enforcement actions.”

The agreement gives Meta greater legal certainty around using children’s data for age assurance, but questions remain over federal enforcement, data retention and secondary use.

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