Kubota Expands Autonomous Solutions and Introduces the M5L Tractor for Specialty Crops

Autonomous M5L Tractors are Expected to be Available in Early 2027 for Orchard and Nut Growers

GRAPEVINE, Texas, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kubota North America today announced the next phase of its strategic collaboration with Agtonomy, an award-winning agricultural autonomy software company, to expand the pilot phase to include autonomous operations on the Kubota M5 Low Profile diesel tractor for orchard and nut growers. The initiative builds on the companies' work to commercialize practical autonomy on Kubota equipment and reflects Kubota's ongoing commitment to developing smart technology that enhances efficiency, adaptability and productivity for specialty crop customers.

"Kubota values our relationship with Agtonomy and is committed to finding solutions for the specialty agricultural market and associated growers," said Don Lowe, Senior Director for Kubota Tractor Corporation. "Expanding our autonomous platform with Agtonomy confirms another vital step towards the commercialization of our high-quality products into this important segment." 

This next phase will focus on integrating Agtonomy's capabilities with Kubota's M5 Low Profile tractor to support core specialty-crop workloads, including spraying, mowing and underplant cultivation. The low-profile design and added lift capacity of the M5L will allow the companies to address a broader set of orchard applications, including sanitation mowing, while helping growers introduce autonomous solutions into their existing diesel tractor operations.

The pilot phase expansion is informed by successful engagement with growers and continued feedback from specialty crop operations. While the M5N is tailored to narrow-row applications, the M5L brings a low-profile platform and increased lift capacity suited to the distinct needs of orchard and nut operations. Kubota dealer support will remain an important part of helping growers integrate the technology into their existing workflow.

"As a specialty crop grower myself, I know how much orchard work depends on having the right equipment and skilled people available when the job needs to get done," said Tim Bucher, CEO and Co-Founder of Agtonomy. "Bringing our technology to the M5L is a direct response to that need and an important next step in helping growers get essential work done with the skilled labor they have available."

Kubota's open innovation approach is grounded in collaboration with industry-leading partners to accelerate transformative agricultural solutions. Through its continued work with Agtonomy, Kubota will use grower input to refine autonomous capabilities and help deliver practical technology solutions that improve efficiency, consistency and field operations for specialty agriculture customers.

For more information on Kubota innovation, visit KubotaUSA.com/Innovation. For more information on Agtonomy, visit Agtonomy.com.

About Kubota North America Corporation
Kubota North America Corporation (KNA), headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, serves as the central business hub for all KNA companies in the U.S. and Canada, connecting leadership resources and talent across all lines of Kubota's business. Kubota Corporation, based in Osaka, Japan, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells a range of machinery, including tractors, construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, hay tools and performance-matched implements. For product literature or dealer locations, contact: Kubota North America, 1000 Kubota Drive, Grapevine, TX 76051, (888) 4-KUBOTA [(888) 458-2682], Ext. 900, or visit KubotaUSA.com or Kubota.Ca.

About Agtonomy
Agtonomy is an AI and software services company specializing in intelligent automation for agriculture, turf and beyond. Through partnerships with leading equipment manufacturers, Agtonomy's platform is embedded into industrial machinery to enable automation in complex, real-world environments. Its platform boosts efficiency, safety and sustainability, while allowing operators to retain command. For more information, visit Agtonomy.com.

SOURCE Kubota North America Corporation