Kubota Debuts Autonomous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Tractor at Expo 2025 in Osaka
- Kubota has unveiled the world’s first autonomous hydrogen fuel cell tractor, a 100-horsepower prototype capable of half-day operation, at Expo 2025 in Osaka.
- The machine combines zero-emission hydrogen power with AI-driven autonomous driving and remote control, directly addressing labor shortages and sustainability in agriculture.
Kubota has pulled the wraps off what it claims is the world’s first autonomous hydrogen fuel cell tractor, unveiled at the “Hydrogen Park!!” showcase during Expo 2025 Kansai in Osaka.
The concept follows the company’s manned hydrogen tractor presented last year, but this latest model integrates artificial intelligence and autonomous driving capabilities. The 100-horsepower machine runs on a hydrogen fuel cell stack, offering half a day of operation between refueling — a critical runtime for agricultural use.
Unlike battery-electric tractors, Kubota’s hydrogen model provides higher power output and longer uptime, while producing no CO₂ emissions.
The tractor’s AI camera system allows it to detect and safely stop when people or obstacles appear in the field, while remote operation enables off-site supervision. These features are aimed squarely at easing the strain on Japan’s agricultural workforce, where labor shortages and an aging population are putting pressure on productivity.
“We will soon conduct a demonstration experiment and continue development towards practical application,” said Isamu Kazama, one of Kubota’s lead developers.
Source: Fuel Cells Works