Kubota unveiled its first commercially available autonomous tractor solution at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. The system integrates smart sensing and artificial intelligence into the company’s 105.7-horsepower diesel M5 Narrow tractor, targeting specialty crop operations.
Highlights
- Kubota’s autonomous M5 Narrow tractor, developed with Agtonomy, marks the company’s first commercial autonomous solution for specialty crop markets
- A concept versatile platform robot (KVPR) expands, contracts, and moves along multiple axes for multi-season adaptability
- Digital Twinning technology enables real-time, persistent data monitoring from individual plants to full-scale operations
- Treasury Wine Estates is field-testing the autonomous tractor for mowing and under-vine cultivation
Autonomous Tractor Enters Commercial Phase
The autonomous M5 Narrow tractor represents Kubota’s collaboration with Agtonomy, an AI and software services company specializing in intelligent automation for agriculture. The system incorporates advanced sensing capabilities and artificial intelligence for autonomous field operations.
Treasury Wine Estates has deployed the tractor in vineyard applications. Marc Di Pietra, Regional Service Maintenance Manager at Treasury Wine Estates, reported the system handles routine mowing and under-vine cultivation passes autonomously across rows and blocks.
KVPR Concept Robot Addresses Multi-Use Applications
Kubota introduced its concept versatile platform “transformer” robot at the event. The KVPR design features:
- Expandable and contractible frame for varying row widths
- Multi-axis movement capabilities
- Configurable functionality to replace multiple single-purpose machines
Physical AI Integration
Brett McMickell, Chief Technology Officer for Kubota North America, outlined the company’s approach to physical AI implementation. Key capabilities include:
- Decision-making algorithms
- Obstacle detection systems
- Voice recognition functionality
- Real-time task and labor assignment optimization
“Physical AI is a key inflection point for our industry and for Kubota,” McMickell stated.
Digital Twinning for Precision Monitoring
The Digital Twinning system demonstrated at CES provides persistent data monitoring across agricultural operations. The platform tracks data at granular levels, from individual plants to enterprise-wide management.
Company Background
Kubota Corporation, headquartered in Osaka, Japan, manufactures tractors, construction equipment, and lawn and garden machinery. The company pioneered sub-compact and compact tractors as well as compact excavators. Kubota North America is based in Grapevine, Texas.
For additional information, visit KubotaUSA.com/innovation or Kubota.com/CES. Information about Agtonomy is available at Agtonomy.com.
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