Miles Keeney-Ritchie is the Founder and CEO of Aloft Systems, a Colorado-based company developing modular, “Plug & Sail” wind-assist wing systems to reduce fuel costs in commercial shipping. His work centers on making wind propulsion practical for the existing fleet through sails that can be installed without downtime and integrated seamlessly with cargo operations. Aloft is also advancing vessel-mounted sensor systems that transform ships into high-frequency ocean observatories to enhance weather forecasting and maritime safety. Miles brings over a decade of experience in hardware design, robotics, and new-product introduction.

Before founding Aloft Systems, he led hardware development and manufacturing programs for robotics start-ups. He holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and is named on six patents spanning robotics, mechanical systems, and automation. Through Aloft, he is helping bridge the gap between maritime operations, renewable propulsion, and real-time ocean intelligence, working toward a future where commercial ships operate more efficiently, resiliently, and safely.