Kubota’s exhibit at CES 2024 in the US includes the electric-powered New Agri Concept tractor. Photo: Kubota

A PROTOTYPE electric tractor set to hit the market in 2030 was last week revealed by Kubota North America Corporation at CES 2024.

Billed as the world’s biggest tech event, the six-day event was held in Las Vegas, and hosted by the Consumer Technology Association, a US trade association.

Its program covers a raft of sectors, agriculture included, that look at how the next generation of equipment will integrate artificial intelligence, automation, and electrification.

Kubota exhibited at the annual event for the first time this year, and has described its New Agri Concept as a fully electric multi-purpose vehicle designed to provide solutions for residential or small-area growers, with the ability to quickly charge from 10 percent to 80pc in less than six minutes.

“I am excited to help unveil our New Agri Concept, which showcases our design philosophy and builds on Kubota’s long legacy of technology innovation for the betterment of society,” Kubota North America senior technologist Brett McMickell said in a statement.

The vehicle’s six independent drive motors and a standard three-point linkage allow it to use many existing implements for common operations including mowing and tilling.

Kubota Tractor Corporation president Todd Stucke said Kubota was transforming into a solutions provider from its base as a trusted provider of compact equipment.

“Today, they’re evolving to be even more intuitive, putting data and AI directly in the hands of residential equipment owners to enhance their lives and make things easier, more productive, and more efficient.”

Kubota lists the New Agri Concept’s key technologies as including: automatic data collection; real-time monitoring; AI identifying potential issues; automation addressing labour challenges; water-management automation, and a data platform enhancing productivity.

Kubota was founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1890 and today operates in more than 120 countries, including Australia.

Source: Kubota