Japanese equipment manufacturer Kubota Corporation is advancing plans to commercialize autonomous tractors through an expanded partnership with California-based startup Agtonomy, targeting specialty crop farmers facing persistent labor shortages.
The collaboration, which began with field trials in 2024, now enters discussions around sales strategies and dealer support across North America’s key agricultural regions. Kubota’s M5N diesel tractors will integrate Agtonomy’s automation software for spraying and mowing operations in vineyards, orchards, and similar specialty crop environments.
The push comes as California, Oregon, and Washington producers of high-value crops like grapes, nuts, and citrus confront rising input costs and workforce challenges that have intensified demand for automated solutions. Agtonomy, founded in 2021 and led by CEO Tim Bucher, specializes in precision automation platforms for specialty crop cultivation.
However, questions remain about adoption timelines and pricing for technology that must prove cost-effective against traditional farming methods. The companies claim their integrated systems reduce pesticide usage and labor requirements, though concrete performance metrics from the year-long trials weren’t disclosed.
Kubota’s North American division will collaborate with its dealer network to identify potential sales and support obstacles before launching commercial operations. The partnership represents Kubota’s broader push into agricultural automation as the industry grapples with demographic shifts affecting farm labor availability.
