Kubota recently celebrated having its 50-year presence on the European market with a dealer and press event in Spain.

At the event, the Japanese manufacturer showcased a number of new products within its agriculture and ground care ranges including the new and updated M7004 tractor models.

The manufacturer also gave attendees a glimpse into the future in terms of its projects, the majority of which are based around autonomy.

One of which project is an autonomous retrofit kit that is currently been developed in collaboration with a French start-up company.

Status lights show if the tractor is ready to work autonomously or if it is in operation.

Kubota demonstrated the kit working on a new M7004 tractor at the event. In order for the kit to work, the tractor needs to be equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), RTK guidance and auto-steering system in addition to tractor implement management (TIM).

The entire kit is mounted on a frame which then is fixed to the tractor's roof skin. The necessary components include a module for accuracy and one for safety, along with two lidar sensors.

Also mounted on the frame are lights which show the status of the tractor - ie, ready to operate autonomously or if it is in operation.

Kubota couldn’t provide an exact timeline as to when the kit will be available or what the exact costings will be. However, it hopes to have it on the market within the next two to five years.