Kubota presents autonomous concept tractor "X Tractor"

Half a century after displaying its first concept tractor at the Japan World Exposition held in Osaka in 1970, Kubota unveiled the "X Tractor." The new concept tractor was presented at the celebrations of the 130th anniversary of its founding. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and electrification technology, the X Tractor is a fully autonomous tractor that represents the future of agriculture in Kubota's vision. 

The company introduced this conceptual model with numerous advanced technologies such as AI and technology that makes the machine 100% powered by electricity, in anticipation of the large-scale introduction of smart agriculture, which is continually expected by Japanese farmers.

The X Tractor has a futuristic design and operation controlled by artificial intelligence, completely autonomous. It is based on various information, such as meteorological data that it captures and crop growth rates, and chooses the appropriate operation for each situation. Environmental data obtained by operating tractors can be automatically shared with other machines on site to realize efficient, centrally managed operation.

Operation with 100% electrical power is possible by the combination of lithium-ion batteries and solar batteries. The project envisioned a machine for several processes. It has four wheel motors, enabling stable autonomous driving, even in wet fields and uneven terrain.

The four-wheel track changes shape to maintain the tractor's height at the ideal level and ensure an ideal center of gravity for each situation. For processes to require high traction, the area of ​​contact with the ground must be increased by decreasing the height of the tractor to lower its center of gravity. On the other hand, when operating in taller crops, the ground clearance must be adjusted by increasing the height of the tractor.

The in-wheel motor allows you to arbitrarily change the rotation speed of the four tracks (front, rear, right and left) to achieve a small turning radius for autonomous operation on various types of terrain. For now, Kubota has no intention of producing the X Tractor in series.