Kubota and Agtonomy accelerate commercialization of smart farming tools

Kubota is expanding its collaboration with Agtonomy, a California-based agricultural automation startup, to develop and commercialize autonomous operations for diesel tractors used by specialty crop growers in the US. The move marks a new phase in the companies’ joint efforts to address labor shortages and rising input costs in key agricultural regions.

The two companies began working together in 2024 and have since focused on integrating Agtonomy’s autonomy software with Kubota’s tractors, sprayers, and AI-based camera systems. The initiative targets farmers in California, Oregon and Washington—states that dominate US production of high-value crops such as grapes, citrus fruits, nuts and berries.

Kubota, which is based in Osaka, Japan, said it will begin commercial testing of autonomous spraying and mowing using its M5N diesel tractor, with support from North American dealers. The phased rollout will involve selected growers and is designed to fit into existing operations without major infrastructure changes.

“The collaboration marks a milestone in bringing our autonomy vision to market,” said M. Brett McMickell, chief technology officer at Kubota North America. “Agtonomy’s field-tested platform aligns with our goal of developing practical solutions for labor efficiency and reduced chemical use.”

Agtonomy, formally known as Mooco Robotics, was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in South San Francisco. The company focuses on automation tools for real-world farming environments and has worked closely with growers to refine its technology.

“Partnering with Kubota allows us to accelerate adoption by embedding autonomy into proven equipment,” said Tim Bucher, Agtonomy’s chief executive and co-founder.

Kubota said the collaboration reflects its open innovation model, which includes partnerships with startups, universities and research institutions. The company is also exploring alternative power sources to expand its lineup of powertrain and autonomy offerings.

The push into automation comes amid continued challenges for specialty crop growers, who face mounting labor constraints and cost pressures. Growers in the Western US have increasingly turned to precision technologies to improve productivity and reduce inputs such as pesticides and water.

Kubota North America, headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, oversees the company’s operations in the US and Canada. Its parent company manufactures tractors, construction equipment and related machinery for global markets.

Kubota and Agtonomy have not disclosed a timeline for broader commercialization but said future phases will be shaped by grower feedback and operational data collected during the initial rollout.