Japanese agricultural equipment manufacturer Kubota Corporation has unveiled the world’s first autonomous hydrogen fuel cell tractor. The concept model was introduced at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. The new hydrogen tractor, which operates without a driver, runs completely on compressed hydrogen stored in onboard tanks.
This machine produces zero emissions, as the only byproduct of its operation is water. It is designed to run for half a day on a single refuel, offering high endurance and performance for large-scale farming operations. According to Kubota, the tractor delivers the power of a 100-horsepower diesel engine, making it both environmentally friendly and highly capable.
Kubota explained in an official statement, “This concept tractor integrates Kubota’s long-standing expertise in agricultural machinery development with advanced technologies for hydrogen fuel cell systems, autonomous driving, and remote operation.” The company emphasized that this new concept represents its commitment to building sustainable and intelligent agricultural solutions.
The hydrogen fuel cell system works by supplying hydrogen from onboard tanks to a solid polymer fuel cell module. Inside this module, hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air to generate electricity, which then powers two independent motors — one dedicated to driving and the other to the PTO system, which powers the farming equipment.
The entire process produces no carbon dioxide, only water vapor, making it a completely clean form of energy. Kubota believes hydrogen fuel cells could become a reliable alternative for large agricultural machines that require extended operating hours and high power.
The new tractor has been designed with autonomous driving and remote-control capabilities, completely eliminating the need for an onboard operator. It features a network of sensors and AI-based cameras that allow it to navigate independently across fields, detect obstacles, and make precise movements without human guidance. The built-in artificial intelligence system enables the tractor to automatically adjust its path to maintain efficiency and safety during operation.
The tractor can also be operated remotely from a monitoring station, where a single operator can supervise its activity through a steering wheel, pedals, and large display screens showing real-time data.
Farmers can also control the tractor nearby using a portable console, similar to a laptop, worn with a shoulder harness. This flexibility gives farmers the ability to manage multiple tractors or monitor their work remotely, making the system ideal for modern, large-scale agricultural setups.
The design of the tractor stands out with its cab-less body, symbolizing the beginning of a new age of driverless farming. The model measures about 4.38 meters in length, 2.2 meters in width, and 2.29 meters in height. Its sleek and compact form shows Kubota’s focus on efficiency and innovation, combining both aesthetics and performance in one intelligent machine.
Field testing of the tractor has already begun in Japan. These real-world trials will assess the hydrogen system’s performance, refueling methods, and the autonomous operation capabilities of the machine.
The company aims to confirm its reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness before beginning any commercial rollout. Once proven successful, the hydrogen-powered tractor could revolutionize agriculture not only in Japan but also across global markets looking for cleaner and smarter farming solutions.
Speaking about the company, Isamu Kazama, one of Kubota’s lead developers, said, “We will soon conduct a demonstration experiment and continue development towards practical application.” He added that Kubota’s vision is to create a new generation of agricultural machinery that is sustainable, powerful, and intelligent enough to meet the challenges of the future.
