Kubota concept is fully autonomous and electric

It looks like a machine right out of a high-budget sci-fi film, but Kubota’s latest concept unit is in fact the Japanese company’s idea of what farming and earth moving equipment of the future could look like.

The high-tech machine, dubbed the X tractor was on display at a new product exhibition held in Kyoto on January 15 and 16. The display comes 50 years after Kubota unveiled its first ever concept tractor at the Japan World Exposition held in Osaka in 1970.

What’s immediately apparent about the machine is the lack of an operator’s cab, much like the one Case IH unveiled a couple of years ago.

This is because the machine is full autonomous. It’s equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and electric drive technology that represents the future of farming and earth moving as seen by Kubota.

The idea for the concept stems from the fact that Japan’s agricultural industry continues to face a labour shortage issue due to an aging population and ever increasing pressure to feed and clothe the nation.

In 2017, Kubota launched its AgriRobo series of autonomous tractors which can be operated either manually or autonomously. Since then, Kubota has further developed the machines to include a series of advanced technologies, resulting in the birth of the 2020 concept model.

The X tractor has a stunning and modern design which still preserves some of Kubota’s identity such as its orange colour scheme and logo. It has smooth curved lines and four crawler tracks that give it a sleek and futuristic look.

It is AI operated, meaning it makes its own decisions as to what operation to carry out and when based on data such as weather and growth rates. The data it gathers can be shared with other machines on the site for a more efficient operation overall.

The X tractor is also fully electric, powered by a combination of lithium-ion batteries and solar batteries.

Kubota has equipped the concept tractor with four crawler tracks to provide ultimate stability even in wet and uneven terrain. It can also change its height according to the job at hand.

Each crawler track has its own motor making it highly manoeuvrable, and it’s powerful with the electric motors offering full torque from zero revs.