Gecko Robotics is growing again

Why it matters: Pittsburgh's unicorn companies are looking to grow and help transition the regional economy to more focus on high-tech companies.

The big picture: Gecko develops robots that climb and inspect infrastructure -- such as power plants, aircraft carriers and submarines -- and reduce costs by saving workers from having to perform inspections themselves.

Driving the news: Gecko announced Wednesday at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit in Carlisle that it will open a new 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Sewickley soon.

Zoom in: The new facility will serve as a manufacturing and integration hub where Gecko's robotics and its Cantilever software will help defense manufacturers build components more efficiently.

What they're saying: "The future will be built by combining advanced robotics, AI, and skilled workers into a single manufacturing ecosystem," said CEO Jake Loosararian. "By bringing together world-class partners, software, and automation in Pittsburgh, we're helping manufacturers produce the critical systems our military depends on faster, more safely, and with higher quality."

Between the lines: Loosararian has said local tech companies need to expand locally instead of decamping for bigger tech markets on the coasts.

What's next: Gecko spokesperson Steve Bourner tells Axios the Sewickley facility will be open within weeks and that robots are currently operating inside.