US robotics firm Gecko Robotics says it is deploying wall-climbing inspection robots across facilities belonging to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Adnoc, to detect structural damage following recent attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure.

The company's newest robot, named Raptor, operates three to five times faster than its predecessor and cuts the cost of collecting inspection data by as much as fifty-fold. Using a combination of sensors and sound waves, the robots can identify structural flaws without requiring facilities to shut down operations — a critical advantage for oil producers that depend on continuous output.

Gecko Robotics previously signed a $300 million contract with the US Navy, underlining strong defence-sector demand for robotics and artificial intelligence applications. The company now plans to set up manufacturing operations in the UAE, aiming to develop its technology closer to the operational sites of its regional clients.

Jake Loosararian, the company's chief executive, said energy companies that increasingly resemble technology firms will ultimately come out ahead in the industry. Alongside the announcement, a new agreement between Gecko Robotics and Adnoc Onshore was expected to formalise wider use of robotics and AI models in facility inspections.

The partnership reflects a broader shift among Gulf energy producers, who are prioritising investment in smart inspection technology after a period of attacks on regional energy infrastructure, in an effort to improve both safety and the speed of facility repairs.