Kubota unveiled its first commercially available autonomous tractor solution at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, marking a step toward wider use of artificial intelligence and automation in specialty crop farming.
The system integrates AI and smart sensing technology into Kubota’s 105.7-horsepower diesel M5 Narrow tractor, designed for operations such as vineyards and orchards where narrow row spacing and precision work are required. The autonomous solution was developed in collaboration with Agtonomy, a U.S.-based company focused on AI and software services for agricultural automation.
See also: Kubota’s KATR Autonomous Tractor Wins CES Innovation Award for Zero-Emission Farming
Kubota said the autonomous M5 Narrow has entered commercial use, with Treasury Wine Estates field-testing the tractor for tasks including mowing and under-vine cultivation. The system is designed to operate autonomously across vineyard rows and blocks while monitoring its surroundings through onboard sensors.
“The tractor is handling routine mowing and under-vine cultivation passes autonomously across rows and blocks,” said Marc Di Pietra, regional service maintenance manager at Treasury Wine Estates, describing the early deployment.
Alongside the tractor, Kubota also presented a concept versatile platform robot, known as the KVPR, aimed at demonstrating how a single robotic platform could adapt to multiple agricultural tasks. The concept robot features an expandable and contractible frame to accommodate different row widths, multi-axis movement, and configurable attachments intended to reduce the need for multiple single-purpose machines.
Kubota executives said the developments reflect a broader strategy to embed what the company refers to as “physical AI” into agricultural equipment. The approach combines decision-making algorithms, obstacle detection, voice recognition and real-time task optimization to support autonomous field operations.
See also: Carbon Robotics Unveils AI-Powered AutoTractor for Autonomous Farm Operation
“Physical AI is a key inflection point for our industry and for Kubota,” said Brett McMickell, chief technology officer of Kubota North America.
The company also demonstrated a Digital Twinning system that provides persistent, real-time monitoring of agricultural operations. Kubota said the platform can track data at multiple levels, ranging from individual plants to entire farming enterprises, with the aim of improving operational efficiency and decision-making.
Kubota, headquartered in Osaka, Japan, manufactures tractors, construction equipment and lawn and garden machinery. Its North American operations are based in Grapevine, Texas. The company said it continues to explore automation and robotics as part of its long-term strategy to address labor shortages and productivity challenges in agriculture.