The future of military operations is autonomous, and Abu Dhabi-based SteerAI is positioning the UAE at the forefront of this transformation. Launched in November 2024 by VentureOne, the Advanced Technology Research Council’s commercialisation arm and venture builder, SteerAI is delivering AI-powered autonomous systems that redefine how defence forces operate—building force multiplier capabilities while keeping troops safer, missions more efficient, and operations more cost-effective.
Turning Vision into Reality
SteerAI represents a significant milestone in the UAE’s commitment to technological leadership and defence innovation. The company’s advanced autonomous driving system, CoreX, developed by leading researchers and technologists at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), transforms standard military vehicles into fully autonomous platforms capable of executing high-stakes missions in off-road environments.
“The operational needs of modern fighting forces can be very complex, time-critical, and high-cost, exposing soldiers and multi-million-dollar systems to risks on the battlefield,” said Michael Sonderby, SteerAI’s Acting CEO and a former Danish military officer. “SteerAI’s solutions are designed specifically to meet these needs by helping defence fleets scale and conduct complex missions quickly, precisely, and efficiently while adding a new layer of protection to their most valuable assets: their soldiers.”
The Software Suite: CoreX and CoreConnect
At the heart of SteerAI’s offering is CoreX, vehicle-agnostic autonomous driving system powered by AI and advanced decision-making algorithms. Unlike many autonomous solutions, which are tied to specific vehicle platforms, CoreX provides a new level of flexibility by enabling the transformation of existing fleets.
“We have not simply enabled an autonomous vehicle. We have built its brain,” said Dr. Najwa Aaraj, the CEO of TII. “Through the unique capabilities underlying CoreX, developed at TII, we provide the intelligence that powers navigation, perception, decision-making, and localisation. This modular and scalable system equips forces to customise and deploy autonomy with confidence.”
CoreX enables precise navigation in hazardous environments, advanced obstacle avoidance, convoy operations, and complex target tracking. Critically, it also operates effectively in GPS-challenged environments—a game-changing advantage for military operations.
Complementing CoreX is CoreConnect, SteerAI’s comprehensive fleet management platform, which is designed for multi-vehicle, multi-mission operations. It supports advanced mission planning, deployment, and real-time monitoring, enabling fast, informed decision-making for military units and operators.
Like CoreX, CoreConnect can integrate with a wide range of autonomous vehicles from different manufacturers. This gives defence operators maximum flexibility in deploying the right vehicles for the right missions. It also enables them to monitor fleet health and respond to threats in real time, all from a single interface.
Hardware Built for the Gulf’s Toughest Conditions
SteerAI already offers an autonomous all-terrain vehicle designed specifically for the GCC’s demanding environments, including hazardous off-road terrain such as deserts, rocky ground, and unmapped areas.
In November 2025, SteerAI will unveil a new class of ready-to-deploy military vehicle with the key defining features of durability and versatility.
“It will add a new dimension of autonomous capabilities to our portfolio that will enable us to serve the defence and security sector with a scalable platform that can solve an almost infinite number of different missions,” said Sonderby.
Mission-Critical Applications
All of SteerAI’s autonomy solutions excel across multiple different types of missions: reconnaissance and surveillance operations that gather intelligence without risking personnel; logistical support and resupply missions that maintain supply lines in contested areas; patrol and border security; search and rescue in dangerous terrain; medical evacuation; and direct combat.
Strategic Partnerships
In February 2025, SteerAI announced a partnership with Milrem Robotics, signed at IDEX 2025, to equip 20 THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles with CoreX as part of a UAE Land Forces autonomy program.
SteerAI’s technology has also proven itself in the extreme conditions set by the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, where its autonomy kit powers AI-driven Super Formula race cars that compete on international circuits.
The Road Ahead
SteerAI is currently executing multiple proof-of-concept trials with defence and government partners, refining its autonomous systems through continuous consultation, field testing, and operational feedback.
“SteerAI is bridging a critical gap in the market for mission-ready autonomy,” said Sonderby. “Its custom-engineered solutions are built to perform in some of the world’s most complex and challenging environments. They’re also flexible and versatile enough to meet fast-changing mission requirements—built to adapt and endure.”
By developing and deploying advanced autonomous systems in the UAE, for the UAE, SteerAI is not only building sovereign capability. It’s also shaping how autonomous technology is integrated, giving the UAE and its partners an active role in defining how the next generation of unmanned missions will be fought—and won.
