Kubota is accelerating its presence in agricultural robotics by making the Kliter AX 1 autonomous spot spraying robot available through selected dealer partners. Rather than developing another machine entirely in house, the company is strengthening its precision agriculture portfolio through investment in innovative startups, giving growers earlier access to automation designed specifically for high value vegetable and specialty crop production.
The announcement highlights Kubota’s broader strategy of combining its global dealer infrastructure with emerging robotic technologies that address labor shortages, rising production costs, and increasing pressure to reduce chemical inputs.
Built for specialty crop automation
The Kliter AX 1 is an autonomous field robot developed by Norwegian startup Kliter for vegetable and other specialty crop production. Unlike conventional self propelled sprayers designed to treat entire fields, the AX 1 is engineered for targeted spot spraying, allowing crop protection products to be applied only where needed.
According to the manufacturer, the robot can cover up to 7 hectares (17.3 acres) per day, making it suitable for repeated field operations throughout the growing season where precision is often more valuable than maximum field capacity.
Modular design for controlled traffic farming
One of the robot’s defining characteristics is its modular architecture.
The AX 1 is available in five module and six module configurations, providing working widths of:
- 1.31 m (4.30 ft)
- 1.57 m (5.15 ft)
Its track width is adjustable from 1.55 to 2.00 meters (5.09 to 6.56 ft), allowing the platform to operate within existing controlled traffic farming systems and adapt to different row spacings without major field modifications.
That flexibility is particularly valuable for vegetable producers growing multiple crops with varying planting geometries.
Precision instead of horsepower
Kubota has released very few technical specifications beyond the robot’s field dimensions and intended application. Publicly available information does not confirm details such as battery capacity, operating autonomy, sensor package, spraying system configuration, or navigation technology, so those specifications remain undisclosed.
Nevertheless, the concept reflects one of the strongest trends currently shaping agricultural machinery. Rather than replacing large tractors, compact autonomous robots are increasingly being designed to perform repetitive, low speed, high precision tasks such as spot spraying, mechanical weeding, scouting, and crop monitoring.
For specialty crops, where every plant can represent significant economic value, these smaller autonomous platforms often deliver greater practical benefits than simply increasing machine size or engine output.
Industry perspective
Kubota’s decision to distribute the Kliter AX 1 through its dealer network is strategically significant. Many agricultural robotics startups develop technically impressive machines but struggle to scale because they lack sales, service, and support infrastructure.
By leveraging Kubota’s established distribution network, Kliter gains immediate market credibility while customers receive access to local service and technical support that independent startups often cannot provide. If the partnership proves successful, it could become a model for how major agricultural equipment manufacturers bring innovative robotics to market without waiting through lengthy internal development cycles.
About Kubota
Founded in 1890 in Osaka, Japan, Kubota Corporation has grown into one of the world’s largest manufacturers of agricultural and construction equipment. The company operates in more than 120 countries and territories, employs approximately 55,000 people, and generates annual revenue exceeding ¥3 trillion (roughly US$20 billion, depending on exchange rates). Alongside tractors, engines, construction machinery, and irrigation systems, Kubota has significantly expanded its investment in precision agriculture, automation, and agricultural robotics as part of its long term technology strategy.
Source: Kubota Deutschland
