Agreement at UMEX expands xRift’s autonomous all-terrain capabilities to include tethered aerial surveillance for security and reconnaissance
SteerAI has signed a partnership agreement with Elistair, a global leader in tethered drone systems, to make tethered drone technology available with xRift, SteerAI’s next-generation autonomous all-terrain vehicle. SteerAI unveiled xRift at UMEX 2026.
The agreement was signed by Michael Sonderby, Acting CEO of SteerAI, and Mehrez Oueslati, Elistair’s Head of Sales for the Middle East and Africa.
xRift, which is engineered for multiple off-road missions in challenging, unmapped environments, can integrate various payloads for multiple requirements. In addition to Elistair's Khronos tethered drone payload, which enables secure aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical communications relay even in remote, unmapped areas, xRift can also integrate weapons systems, intelligence and communications modules, and logistical supplies.
“Partnering with Elistair lets us bring proven aerial capabilities to xRift clients without the delay of creating a new subsystem,” said Michael Sonderby, the Acting CEO of SteerAI. “Elistair’s tethered drone technology turns our modular autonomous platform into a ready-to-deploy surveillance solution, enabling persistent monitoring and security operations in challenging environments from day one.”
Why tethered drone technology?
Tethered drone technology addresses two fundamental challenges in aerial operations: flight time and data security. Unlike battery-powered drones, tethered systems such as the Khronos DroneBox receive constant power and transmit secure data through a micro-tether linking the drone to the vehicle.
“xRift’s autonomous capabilities, modular design, and payload flexibility make it an ideal platform for our drone technology,” said Guilhem de Marliave, the CEO of Elistair. “This partnership with SteerAI brings together two complementary technologies to deliver persistent aerial surveillance to operators across the UAE and beyond.”
A national ecosystem approach
The new agreement is one of several UAE collaborations for SteerAI: Other current partners include the Technology Innovation Institute, which developed SteerAI’s initial technology stack, and Milrem Robotics, which is working with SteerAI to autonomize combat platforms for UAE ground forces as part of an autonomy pilot designed to improve safety. SteerAI has also recently partnered with noon Minutes and Micropolis to integrate CoreConnect, its advanced, fleet-agnostic fleet management system, into last-mile delivery and logistics projects.
“Partnerships are central to how we deliver autonomy,” added Sonderby. “Working with trusted partners allows us to provide clients with proven, well-integrated systems that meet real operational needs, while supporting the development of the UAE’s long-term autonomous capabilities.”
SteerAI is designed to turn standard industrial and defense vehicles into autonomous machines that can handle complex opearations.