US Tech Firm Gecko Robotics Aims to Begin Manufacturing Robots in the UAE by 2026

US-based robotics company Gecko Robotics, valued at approximately US $1.25 billion, plans to begin manufacturing robots in the United Arab Emirates within the next year, following the signing of several deals with local energy and technology entities. The National

The company’s co-founder and CEO, Jake Loosararian, said the firm would establish local manufacturing in the UAE either through partnerships or a dedicated facility to support its regional operations and reduce dependence on its US supply chain. The move is backed by agreements signed with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and its subsidiaries, including AIQ and the ADNOC Technical Academy, to roll out robotics, AI-powered analytics and joint training programmes.

Key Details

• Gecko Robotics already supplies robotic systems to ADNOC and has been involved in UAE operations for about 18 months. The National+1

• The company is considering an expanded local presence including hiring regional staff and establishing region-specific governance structures. The National

• The manufacturing initiative in the UAE is part of Gecko’s strategy to scale globally while adapting to regional requirements and proximity to major users. ADNOC+1

Strategic Implications

For Gecko Robotics, building manufacturing capability in the UAE offers access to Middle-East markets, proximity to key clients, potential logistic advantages and alignment with regional industrialisation agendas. For ADNOC and the UAE, the collaboration strengthens their push in advanced asset-management, robotics, AI and local technology development.

This also complements the broader trend of the UAE seeking to transition oil-and-gas operations toward higher tech, digitalised models of maintenance, inspection and predictive analytics. The deployment of wall-climbing robots and sensor payloads is intended to enhance safety, reduce downtime and extend asset life-cycles in energy-infrastructure operations. Yahoo Finance+1

Challenges & Considerations

Though promising, the success of this initiative depends on multiple factors:

• Establishing scaled manufacturing locally requires supply-chain setup, certification, quality-control and logistics—these take time.

• Hiring and training skilled local talent to operate, maintain and innovate robotics and AI systems is essential.

• Gecko must ensure compliance with local regulations and security standards, especially given the company’s involvement in military-capable systems in other jurisdictions. The National

• Market uptake will depend on how rapidly regional clients adopt robotics, and whether the cost-benefit case for local manufacturing holds.

Outlook

In the next 12 to 18 months, key indicators will include whether Gecko signs firm commitments for local manufacturing, establishes a UAE-based facility, announces employment or training milestones, and begins supplying regionally-produced robots. The move may set a precedent for more global robotics firms localising production in the Gulf region.

If the initiative succeeds, it could further cement the UAE’s role as a regional hub for advanced industrial-tech manufacturing and support its strategy of economic diversification.