  Telescopes, designed with semi-conductor based photo sensors, have the
potential to detect Cherenkov or fluorescence light emitted by cosmic-rays in
the atmosphere. Such telescopes promise a high duty cycle and efficiency in
remote harsh environments. Given the relatively low costs and robustness of
these instruments, this technology could prove interesting especially if
deployed in large numbers with existing and future extended cosmic-ray and
gamma ray detectors, including the Pierre Auger observatory, HAWC, IceCube and
CTA. They may have the potential to enhance the sensitivity of these
instruments for the detection of high-energy gamma rays and cosmic-ray air
showers. In addition, for neutrino telescopes such a technology could prove to
be an efficient cosmic-ray veto on the surface. In this contribution the
current motivation, design, and development of a prototype SiPM based air
Cherenkov telescope is described. The results of initial sensitivity studies,
and the readiness of the system for first tests, including those proposed for
the South Pole are shown.
