The Kubota KATR Concept Carrier Earns Big Award at CES, Just Looks Awesome
Kubota has been innovating cool construction and ag equipment for that last 130+ years. From engines and excavators to tractors and track loaders, the Kubota brand today has pioneered a wide variety of machine categories. In the last couple of years, we’ve noticed the company has also been focused on sharing its next generation of innovations via some cool concept vehicles. For instance, Kubota just announced that its Kubota KATR — a first-of-its-kind, compact, four-wheeled robotic carrier/hauler — has been recognized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) for its innovation and design excellence, earning it a “Best of Innovation” in the CES Innovation Awards 2025 program.
This is the second year in a row that Kubota will be exhibiting at CES, showcasing a unique prototype machine. Last year, the Compact Equipment crew got to see Kubota’s New Agri Concept vehicle — a fully electric, autonomous ag tractor geared toward residential or small-acreage farmers. Is this an awesome new tradition? Releasing cool concept vehicles at CES every year? We sure hope so. Let’s dig into the…
Details on the Kubota KATR
The Kubota all-terrain KATR is a four-wheeled multifunctional robot. We’re assuming KATR stands for Kubota All-Terrain Robot. This cool concept is aimed at carrying construction and ag materials around a jobsite or farm. It features advanced stability control, so it can adjust its four legs to keep the cargo deck level. This allows it to maintain a stable platform on uneven or sloped terrain, making it ideal for agriculture and construction. A proprietary algorithm processes sensor data in real time, commanding the four hydraulically actuated legs to extend or retract for stability. Four independent motors also enable reliable all-terrain navigation.
The KATR offers power options of either electric or combustion engines, supporting Kubota’s customer choice commitment. Its advanced steering and 284-lb load capacity enhance versatility. Users can control it remotely or through an onboard controller. We definitely want one around the CE offices.
From the press release:
“At Kubota, we have a long-standing philosophy that our products must be technically excellent, be productive and enjoyable for our customers, and also ensure the sustainability of limited resources. Ultimately, our goal is to improve the quality of life for individuals and society,” said Brett McMickell, Kubota North America Chief Technology Officer. “Given the versatility of the KATR, it has a wide range of applications specifically designed to enhance productivity in the agriculture and construction sectors.”
Kubota will be showcasing this award-winning unit at CES January 7-10, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more info on Kubota’s participation in CES 2025 and to find its booth, click here.
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Details on the Kubota New Agri Concept
Kubota exhibited at CES for the first time in 2024, unveiling its “New Agri Concept” — a fully electric, autonomous ag tractor which wowed a lot of folks. This unit displayed the potential of fusing a variety of up-and-coming technologies into a self-operating, zero-emissions tool carrier. Key technologies highlighted include: automatic data collection; real-time monitoring; AI identifying potential issues; automation addressing labor challenges; and beyond.
The New Agri Concept has six independent drive motors and standard three-point hitch. That allows it to use many existing implements for common operations, including mowing and tilling. This unit is electric, but it doesn’t take long to charge. The New Agri Concept can fast charge from 10 to 80 percent in less than six minutes, which is pretty crazy. Electric drives also enable quiet operation making the New Agri Concept easy to operate in residential settings or at night.
From an Article We Did Last Year on the New Agri Concept
“It’s got that sleek body on it, which makes it look very cool,” confirmed McMickell at an exclusive press event, “but the underlying technology, the electric vehicle, has been out in the field. This is a concept vehicle with a concept body, but the underlying technology is what’s important. The EV architecture, the fast charging 10 to 80 percent in six minutes, helps alleviate a lot of stress that growers have using this technology. Then looking at the different sensors. We’re looking at how do we make it affordable to growers. So, what is the right sensor complement so that you get functional safety, but you can still get the cost within reason?
“In Asia, for instance, we’ve got a [Kubota] MR 1000A [Agri Robo], which is fully autonomous. Kubota talks about providing complete solutions. The fundamental technologies that are shown here in the [New Agri Concept] are adaptable to our construction market as well. The autonomous guidance, navigation control, obstacle detection, of course, are very important in a construction environment as well as the data and AI coming together.”
The Kubota KATR Continues a Commitment to Innovation
Kubota’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation is clear, with a focus on developing concept vehicles that showcase advanced technology and sustainable solutions. As the company continues to unveil these impressive prototypes at CES, it sets a high bar for what’s possible in the agriculture and construction sectors. Whether it’s the autonomous New Agri Concept or the versatile KATR, Kubota is driving forward with creative designs that promise to redefine how we think about off-road machinery. We can’t wait to see what they reveal next and how these technologies evolve from concepts to practical, game-changing machines. We’ll keep you updated.
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
