Japan launches world's first driverless fuel cell tractor

On September 22, Japan's leading agricultural machinery manufacturer Kubota introduced for the first time an unmanned, self-propelled tractor using hydrogen fuel cells.

The company aims to both decarbonize agriculture and address labor shortages. Kubota says it is the world's first autonomous fuel cell tractor.

The tractor is a medium-sized, 100-horsepower machine without a cab and is equipped with an artificial intelligence (AI) camera to detect obstacles. The system can distinguish between people and surrounding trees and weeds.

The machine can operate unmanned or remotely, not only can it move within the farming range, but also can run automatically from the warehouse to the field.

The machine operates by using electricity generated from the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to run the motor. Since it only releases water, the impact on the environment is very small. Kubota has not yet determined the specific time for commercialization and will continue to conduct field tests.

The tractor will be on display at the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 (EXPO 2025) World Exhibition.

Kubota previously developed a fuel cell tractor and unveiled a prototype in 2024. This time, in addition to equipping it with autonomous functions, the company also increased the hydrogen storage capacity and separated the motor used for movement and the motor used for work, thereby improving operating efficiency.

“We were able to develop this product by combining our accumulated technologies in agricultural machinery, hydrogen and autonomous driving. We are very pleased to be able to showcase it at the EXPO,” said Isamu Kazama, head of Kubota’s carbon neutral technology group.

However, to put it into practical use, there are still challenges such as the need to reform regulations to allow unmanned operation on public roads between fields, as well as building a hydrogen supply system./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nhat-ban-ra-mat-may-keo-pin-nhien-lieu-khong-nguoi-lai-dau-tien-tren-the-gioi-post1063239.vnp