X marks the spot for Kubota's future tractor concept

The tractor which was launched to coincide with the company’s 130^th anniversary was designed in response to some of the challenges facing Japan’s agricultural industry, including an ageing population, labour shortages and low operating efficiency, says the firm.

“In Japan, while an increasing number of farmers retire due to ageing, the average scale of farming continues to grow as a result of the contracting out of farm operations and the accumulation of farmland for efficient management. In order to address the challenges which farmers are facing such as labour shortage and low operating efficiency, it is urgently necessary to introduce smart farming,” says the company.

This year also marks half a century after it exhibited its first concept tractor at the Japan World Exposition held in Osaka in 1970, called the ’Dream Tractor’ it was said to have advanced technologies at the time such as superior functionality, great driver comfort and easier operation.