Kubota recently unveiled its concept ‘X-Tractor – cross tractor-’ at a new product exhibition to mark its 130th anniversary.
Equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and electrification technology, this “dream tractor” is a completely autonomous tractor that represents the future of farming drawn by Kubota, according to the company.
A statement from the firm outlined that the tractor has been designed in order to address the challenges which farmers are facing such as labour shortage and low-operating efficiency; another challenge is in response to an increasing number of farmers retire due to aging. “It is urgently necessary to introduce smart farming.”
Key features:
(1) Futuristic design
- The autonomous and electrification technology realized advanced design by new construction designing concept;
- Following and advancing of the identity of Kubota tractors, created smooth shape through awareness of environmental protection and harmony with natures.
(2) Completely unmanned operation by AI
Based on various data such as weather data and growth rates, AI chooses the appropriate operation and makes actions timely. “Our goal is to achieve a completely autonomous operation.”
The environmental data obtained by tractors in operation can be automatically shared with other machines on-site to realize centrally-managed efficient operation;
(3) Full electrification achieves environmentally friendly farm operation
- 100% electric power by a combination of lithium-ion batteries and solar batteries;
- Full electrification contributes for zero-emissions and reducing environmental loads.
(4) One machine for diverse processes
The four-wheeled crawler achieves stable autonomous driving even on wet paddies and uneven terrains;
- The four-wheeled crawler changes its shape to maintain the tractor height at the optimal level, thus performing in various processes;
- The in-wheel motor makes it possible to arbitrarily change the rotation speed of the four crawlers (front, rear, right, and left) to achieve a small turning radius for autonomous operation on various types of land.
