EDGE Group, TII, Micropolis, and SteerAI to Deploy Advanced Autonomous Logistics Platform
Rhea-AI Summary
Micropolis (NYSE: MCRP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EDGE Group, the UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII), and SteerAI on January 27, 2026 to develop and industrialise an Autonomous Logistics Platform (ALP).
The agreement frames production and pilot deployments of custom unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) paired with AI-driven software in EDGE industrial areas. Key ALP capabilities include fleet management, navigation and safety, digital twins, situational awareness, operational optimisation, advanced analytics, and enterprise integration.
The partners position the initiative as a step toward sovereign UAE expertise in UGVs, AI systems, and smart industrial infrastructure, with pilots intended to demonstrate scalable automation of material movement across manufacturing sites.
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Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
MCRP gained 13.19% while close peers showed mixed moves (e.g., HUBC -15.05%, JG +7.33%, VHC -3.18%). Momentum scanner only flagged one other name (MLGO) up, suggesting today’s move is more stock-specific than sector-wide.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 03 | AI robotics LOI | Positive | +51.3% | LOI with QSS Robotics for up to 500 robots in Saudi Arabia. |
| Nov 18 | AI hardware launch | Positive | -6.8% | Launch of IP67-rated NVIDIA-powered edge computing module for robots. |
| Nov 06 | Conference participation | Positive | -12.1% | Participation in DRIFTx exhibition showcasing UGVs and AI security solutions. |
| Oct 31 | AI workshop showcase | Positive | -1.0% | Showcase of AI security and robotics solutions at ADNOC workshop. |
| Oct 24 | Earnings & update | Positive | +1.4% | Financial update with IPO proceeds, cash balance, and multiple partnerships. |
Positive commercial/strategic news has produced mixed reactions, with both sharp rallies and notable selloffs following AI and robotics announcements.
Over the past few months, Micropolis has reported several autonomy- and AI-focused milestones. An LOI with QSS Robotics for up to 500 robots in Saudi Arabia on Dec 3, 2025 saw a strong +51.28% reaction, while other AI product and event updates in November drew negative price moves. Its June 30, 2025 update detailed IPO proceeds of $15.5 million at $4.00 per share and cash of $4.2 million. Today’s UAE-focused autonomous logistics MoU fits this pattern of regional partnerships and platform expansion.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement adds another strategic collaboration to Micropolis’s recent stream of AI and robotics developments, introducing an Autonomous Logistics Platform with EDGE, TII, and SteerAI for industrial deployments in the UAE. It follows earlier agreements such as the LOI for up to 500 robots in Saudi Arabia and the June 30, 2025 update highlighting IPO proceeds of $15.5 million. Investors may watch how this MoU converts into deployments and revenue, alongside existing resale and Form 144 share overhangs.
Key Terms
memorandum of understanding regulatory
unmanned ground vehicles technical
digital twins technical
autonomous logistics platform technical
fleet management technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Micropolis, EDGE, TII, and SteerAI to collaborate on producing and industrialising autonomous logistics platforms
The partnership marks a key milestone in the UAE’s expertise in autonomous systems and AI-assisted analytics
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EDGE Group, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups and the largest defence manufacturer in the Middle East, the UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a global leader in applied research and advanced technologies, and SteerAI have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Micropolis Robotics (NYSE: MCRP) (“Micropolis” or the “Company”), a pioneer in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and AI-driven autonomous mobility solutions. The agreement establishes a framework for the production and industrialisation of an Autonomous Logistics Platform (ALP), as well as piloting the technology in EDGE Group’s industrial areas. The MoU marks a major milestone for sovereign Emirati expertise in UGVs, AI systems, and smart infrastructure.

Designed to automate the movement of materials within and between manufacturing facilities, the autonomous platform will pair advanced, custom-built unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) with AI-driven software. Advanced features of the ALPs include fleet management, navigation and safety, digital twins, situation awareness, operational optimisation, advanced analytics, and enterprise integration.
Fareed Aljawhari, Founder and CEO of Micropolis, said: “This collaboration underscores Micropolis’ commitment to delivering autonomous solutions for today’s complex operations. Working alongside our partners, EDGE, TII and SteerAI, we are focused on enabling manufacturers to automate material movement with precision, insight, and scalability. Our aim for this AI-powered platform is to not only automate material movement, but also provide situational awareness, empowering users to operate smarter, safer, and more efficiently.”
Bader Al Jaberi, Vice President for Industrialisation Technologies, EDGE BRIDGE, said: “As a catalyst for injecting emerging technologies into the UAE’s industrial defence hub, we are partnering with the UAE’s growing autonomous ecosystem to champion the development of advanced manufacturing systems. This MoU marks a significant step forward in our mission to build sovereign, end-to-end autonomous capabilities, from advanced research to industrial-scale manufacturing.”
Michael Sonderby, Acting CEO, SteerAI, said, “The real power of autonomous technology lies in aggregating and coordinating individual vehicles as fleets and integrating them with companies’ core systems. CoreConnect does exactly that: It works with any autonomous robot, including ground, aerial or marine to provide operators with centralised planning, execution, and oversight of complex autonomous operations. We look forward to collaborating on this initiative and using it as a model for how autonomy can be rolled out at scale across the UAE."
About EDGE
Launched in November 2019, the UAE’s EDGE is one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly-skilled talent to thrive.
With a focus on the adoption of 4IR technologies, EDGE is driving the development of sovereign capabilities for global export and for the preservation of national security, working with front-line operators, international partners, and adopting advanced technologies such as autonomous capabilities, cyber-physical systems, advanced propulsion systems, robotics and smart materials. EDGE converges R&D, emerging technologies, digital transformation, and commercial market innovations with military capabilities to develop disruptive solutions tailored to the specific requirements of its customers. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, EDGE consolidates more than 35 entities into five core clusters: Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Space & Cyber Technologies, Technologies & Industrialisation, and Homeland Security.
For more information, visit edgegroup.ae
About Micropolis Robotics
Micropolis is a UAE-based company specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), AI systems, and smart infrastructure for urban, security, and industrial applications. The Company’s vertically integrated capabilities cover everything from mechatronics and embedded systems to AI software and high-level autonomy.
For more information please visit www.micropolis.ai.
Micropolis Investor Contact:
KCSA Strategic Communications
Valter Pinto, Managing Director
PH: (212) 896-1254
Micropolis@KCSA.com
For media enquiries, please contact:
EDGE Group Press Office
media@edgegroup.ae
+971 52 220 2930; +971 55 358 4520
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1e5c932f-2046-46bd-88bb-b91b019fc857