Vection Technologies (ASX:VR1) has announced a $520,000 partnership with Rider Srl, part of the Italian Procmatech Group, to co-develop a modular robotics platform aimed at revolutionising open-field agriculture. The agreement marks Vection’s entry into the fast-expanding agricultural robotics sector – projected to grow to US$48 billion by 2030 – and reflects increasing demand for AI-driven solutions to global farming challenges.

Tapping into a Multi-Billion-Dollar Agritech Opportunity

The deal targets two rapidly growing segments: agricultural robotics and precision farming, together forecast to exceed US$70 billion in market value within the next five years. These sectors are being driven by climate volatility, labour shortages, and food security issues – particularly in emerging economies.

Deploy AI in the Field

Under the agreement, Vection will provide the full artificial intelligence technology stack for the ACRobot platform, including machine learning, real-time image recognition, sensor data processing, and autonomous field operations.

Managing Director Gianmarco Biagi described the project as a strategic leap forward for the company’s AI capabilities.

“This collaboration underscores Vection’s commitment to extending our AI technology into the realm of robotics,” Biagi said.

“By developing the ‘intelligent heart’ of ACRobot, we will demonstrate how advanced AI algorithms can revolutionise openfield farming-from real-time image recognition of crops to autonomous decision-making on farm operations. We believe ACRobot® can set a new benchmark for smart agricultural robotics, addressing a multi-billion-dollar market need in precision farming.”

Partnering with Procmatech for Engineering Precision

While Vection brings AI expertise, Rider Srl – an innovation arm of the Procmatech Group – will lead the mechanical engineering and system integration. The goal is to build a versatile, modular robotic system that can handle a broad range of field tasks, from crop surveillance to autonomous operation.

Anna Rita Delzotto, Managing Director of Rider Srl, highlighted the significance of combining Vection’s AI with Rider’s mechatronic design.

“Joining forces with Vection is a significant step forward for the ACRobot initiative. Rider and the Procmatech Group bring decades of engineering expertise in mechatronics and automation. By integrating Vection’s cutting-edge AI capabilities, we can now accelerate the development of a truly intelligent robotic system for agriculture,” she noted.

Cross-Industry Potential Broadens Market Scope

Although agriculture is the immediate focus, the modular architecture of the ACRobot platform allows for future application in logistics, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. The robot can be equipped with collaborative arms and integrates seamlessly with autonomous drones, enabling sophisticated aerial-ground coordination.

That functionality opens up new possibilities in environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspections, quality control, and even assistive healthcare robotics.

Scalability in Emerging Markets

The ACRobot is also designed for deployment in emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe – regions where food demand is rising while labour availability is declining. These geographies are increasingly reliant on scalable, automated solutions to enhance food security and agricultural efficiency.

Revenue Timeline and Strategic Fit

Work under the agreement begins immediately, with revenue expected to be recognised in the first half of FY26. The agreement is terminable by either party with three months’ notice.

The partnership supports Vection’s broader strategy to expand its AI and human-machine interaction capabilities beyond its traditional markets. It also adds another commercial layer to the company’s INTEGRATEDXR suite, by embedding smart automation in real-world systems.

Vection’s $520K agreement with Rider positions the company at the frontier of AI-powered robotics in agriculture – a sector under increasing pressure to do more with less. With scalability across both developed and developing regions and potential use cases beyond farming, the ACRobot platform could serve as a key growth engine for Vection’s future operations.