The Kubota autonomous tractor, officially called the X-Tractor (cross tractor), is a fully electric, AI-driven concept that farms without a driver. Powered by lithium-ion and solar batteries, it uses cameras, sensors, GPS and artificial intelligence to navigate fields on four independently driven crawler tracks, and it was unveiled by Kubota to mark the company's 130th anniversary.
Kubota is one of the world's leading agricultural manufacturers and it seems that even the farming sector is now catching up with the advantages of using AI and automation.
What is the Kubota X-Tractor?
Looking at Japan's population statistics, Kubota noticed that there are fewer and fewer farmers in the country. So they decided to develop a concept that would help the few farmers left working in the country. Dubbed the X-Tractor, this autonomous machine is powered by lithium-ion batteries and is fully electric. The tractor uses a cluster of sensors, cameras, and GPS in combination with an AI system to navigate around farmlands, as detailed by OEM Off-Highway. It comes with tracks instead of wheels, providing sufficient traction in any type of surface. With each track having a separate motor, the X-Tractor is capable of turning in a very tight radius.
How does the autonomous tractor use AI?
Beyond simply driving itself, the X-Tractor leans on artificial intelligence to pick the right operation based on weather and crop growth rates, edging the farming world closer to a zero-emission, fully autonomous future. The vehicle's body can even be raised or lowered relative to the crawlers to suit the terrain, lowering for traction or rising to clear crops, a flexibility highlighted by Inceptive Mind. Kubota has not disclosed any information regarding the release of the X-Tractor but it better be on its tracks as competitors are already moving on the manufacturing process for their own take on autonomous farm vehicles.
Where to find autonomous and electric machines
If the X-Tractor sparked your curiosity for self-driving, zero-emission machines, explore our tech collection and our electric vehicle collection. Standouts include the driverless Robocar autonomous electric race car, the autonomous Ehang AAV passenger drone, and the all-electric Nitid Trinity hypercar.
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