Kubota is using CES 2026 to show how smarter machines could change farming, fast. At the show in Las Vegas, the company announced a new commercial-ready autonomous solution for its specialty crop tractor, plus a new “transformer” robot concept and a digital twinning system. The big idea is to help farms do more with fewer people and make work easier right now.
Kubota says these autonomous tractors are designed to support farmers facing tough challenges like labor shortages, an aging workforce, and rising pressure to grow more food in a sustainable way. Instead of building only larger machines, the company is focusing on smart equipment that can support day-to-day work with real-time data, automation, and a more flexible design.
One of the brightest examples is Kubota’s new autonomous solution, created with Agtonomy. This is not just a robot you add later. Kubota says the autonomy is fully integrated into the Kubota M5 Narrow tractor, a 105.7-horsepower diesel machine built for specialty crop work like vineyards and orchards. It uses advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to support autonomous operation and help people work better in the field.
“Our mission is to tackle global challenges like skilled labor shortages and an aging farming population in feeding the growing world,” said Todd Stucke, president of Kubota North America, at CES. “We do this by delivering reliable, versatile, and intuitive solutions that give customers more choices, more confidence, and more value, whether they’re in the field or on an app.”
Integrated autonomous M5 Narrow tractor solution
Autonomy is shifting from a “future concept” to an actual rollout. Kubota says its autonomy package is built into the M5 Narrow tractor for the specialty crop market, using sensors and AI to help with tasks that usually take skilled workers and long hours.
This tech will help farms keep work moving during labor shortages and tight seasonal timelines. It also suggests the next generation of tractors may come ready for autonomy, instead of requiring separate systems or heavy retrofits.
KVPR “transformer” robot concept
Kubota also introduced the KVPR, a concept versatile platform robot that can expand, contract, and move along every axis. Kubota describes it as a “transformer”- style machine, designed to offer the flexibility of multiple machines on a single platform.
That versatility could be a big deal for farms that need different tools at different times of year. Instead of buying several machines, a modular platform could help teams switch tasks faster and get more use out of a single investment.
Kubota digital twinning system
Kubota showcased their digital twinning system, built for “persistent” real-time monitoring, to track a single plant bud or an entire operation. The goal is better decisions through better data, without needing to be on-site every minute.
“Decision-making, obstacle detection, and voice recognition capabilities mean AI real-time insights will now inform tasking, labor assignments, and efficiency improvements,” said CTO for Kubota North America, Brett McMickell, in a press release. “This is just the beginning of what is possible when you design technology around human needs, enhancing the way customers live and work rather than focusing only on technical capability.
Kubota’s CES 2026 announcements indicate a future in which autonomy, flexible robotics, and real-time data are part of everyday farm operations. If these systems scale, they could help farms stay productive with smaller crews, reduce time and fuel waste, and make day-to-day operations easier to manage.
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