SDF has announced they are taking a majority stake in VitiBot, the French specialist in robotics for the vineyard care market.

They say the two companies will join forces to develop and market a range of solutions for a new increasingly sustainable precision viticulture.

VitiBot is a French startup based in Reims that was founded in 2016. SDF describe the company as a leader in the emerging market of vineyard care robotics with Bakus, a 100% electric and autonomous straddle tractor.

Cédric BACHE, CEO of VitiBot said, "“We are delighted with this agreement, which will enable us to meet the challenges of tomorrow's agriculture, the genesis of our project."

Lodovico Bussolati, CEO of SDF added, "Sustainable and digital agriculture is a key factor of our development. After some thorough searching, we realised that VitiBot is the best vineyard solution to enrich our tractor offering with self-driving and zero-emission electric vehicles.

"Now the goal is to support development of the company and the product, satisfying a market with huge growth potential."

SDF say within their structure, Vitibot - like the group’s other subsidiaries - will retain full autonomy in terms of technical, industrial and commercial development.