Steyr AI Launches xRift, an Autonomous All-Terrain Vehicle for the Arabian Gulf

Steyr AI, part of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has unveiled the xRift, a fully autonomous all-terrain vehicle designed for challenging environments in the Arabian Gulf. The launch took place at UMEX 2026, the world’s largest unmanned systems exhibition, supported by the UAE Intelligent Autonomous Systems Council.

The xRift stands out with its flat platform design, replacing the traditional passenger cabin to carry payloads up to 500 kg. Its modular system allows for multiple configurations, including transport, supply, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and even defense applications. This makes the vehicle highly versatile for both industrial and military missions across harsh deserts and rocky terrain.

Michael Sonder-Pey, Acting CEO of Steyr AI, said, “The xRift is a new generation of high-performance autonomous off-road vehicles. It offers reliability, flexibility, and can perform a wide range of tasks—such as supply, field operations, and surveillance—without human intervention. It’s built to operate in the toughest conditions with maximum efficiency.”

The vehicle is powered by Steyr AI’s CoreX autonomous driving system, which integrates advanced AI software for navigation, perception, positioning, and decision-making. This system ensures the xRift can operate safely and efficiently in unpredictable and rugged environments.

Reza Nidhak, CEO of Steyr AI’s parent company VentureOne, added: “The xRift meets a growing demand for flexible, field-ready autonomous solutions in the Middle East. It highlights the region’s capability for local innovation in defense and logistics technologies.”

The xRift was developed in collaboration with the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi, with Steyr AI building and scaling the platform over the past year.

Key Specifications:

• Dimensions: 4,200 × 1,880 × 1,400 mm

• Weight: 1,350 kg

• Maximum load: 500 kg

• Loading area: 1,100 × 1,300 mm

• Engine: Liquid-cooled, 225 hp

• Fuel tank: 47 liters

• Maximum speed (autonomous): 50 km/h

The xRift is expected to support a wide range of industrial and defense operations, providing a new level of mobility and efficiency in the region’s toughest terrains.