The Advanced Technology Research Council’s (ATRC) commercialization arm, VentureOne, has officially launched SteerAI, a new technology venture offering an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered mobility system.
SteerAI’s system is designed to transform standard industrial vehicles into autonomous units suitable for complex missions. Catering initially to the logistics and defense sectors, the technology utilizes a combination of a hardware kit, a software stack, and a fleet management system. This configuration allows autonomous ground vehicles to operate with high precision and efficiency, aiming to save time and resources while enhancing workforce safety. The technology behind SteerAI was developed by experts from the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of ATRC.
H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President and Secretary General of ATRC, commented on the launch, stating, “The launch of SteerAI is a significant milestone in solidifying the UAE’s leadership in autonomous technology. At ATRC, our vision is to continuously push the boundaries of innovation, and SteerAI exemplifies how we are turning groundbreaking research into real-world solutions that drive tangible impact.”
Dr. Najwa Aaraj, the CEO of TII, described the core innovation. “We have not simply created an autonomous vehicle, we have created an autonomous vehicle’s ‘brain.’ The advanced navigation algorithms work with cutting-edge sensors as part of an efficient, modular system that can work on any vehicle, and that has the potential to transform the way we move.”
Vehicles equipped with the SteerAI system are expected to run consistently and precisely between navigation points with minimal downtime. The software stack integrates with corresponding sensors, allowing vehicles to respond quickly to potential hazards, maneuver around obstacles, and operate effectively even in challenging environmental conditions and unmapped areas. Beyond enabling fully autonomous mobility, the software also provides capabilities for remote fleet management, including mission planning, monitoring, and data-driven analytics to ensure optimal vehicle deployment and performance.
Reda Nidhakou, the Acting CEO of VentureOne, highlighted the venture’s goal. “SteerAI launch represents a major milestone in our journey of driving positive impact through the use of advanced technologies. The mobility needs in logistics and defense are intense, complex, and costly. Our vehicle-agnostic autonomous system redefines operational efficiency and precision while protecting companies’ most valuable assets—their people. Our mission is to leverage technology to help our partners transform the way they operate.”
SteerAI is the second venture to be launched by VentureOne, following the establishment of AI71 in November 2023, which focuses on creating business solutions using TII’s Falcon generative AI models.
