Kubota Corporation has announced a strategic partnership with Norwegian agtech start-up Kilter to pilot and promote the AX-1, a fully autonomous spraying robot designed for ultra-precise weed control in vegetable crops. The deal was revealed at Agritechnica 2025 and marks a significant step in Kubota’s smart farming roadmap.
The AX-1 uses AI-powered weed recognition and patented Single Drop Technology to deliver a single calibrated herbicide droplet directly onto each weed with 6 mm accuracy. This approach avoids crop damage, reduces chemical use, and minimizes soil impact – addressing growing regulatory pressure and sustainability demands.
Targeting 15 crops, expanding across Europe
Initially developed for vegetable farmers growing spinach, salads, herbs, celeriac, and strawberries, the AX-1 currently supports more than 15 crops. Kubota plans to expand the pilot to additional crops and enhance distribution in Germany and the Netherlands through its dealer network in 2025-2026.
“Sustainability is a core focus for Kubota,” said Daria Batukhtina, senior manager of strategic business development at Kubota. Solutions like Kilter’s AX-1 fit perfectly into its innovation portfolio, she told AgTechNavigator, combining automation, connectivity, and eco-conscious design to build a resilient and profitable future for agriculture. “The AX-1’s biggest economic gains come from replacing manual labour, and improving crop quality.”
Dealer training and farmer adoption
Kubota Europe’s Smart Farming Solutions Division, launched in 2024, is spearheading dealer training and integration of AX-1 into Kubota’s portfolio. “Advanced technologies require a deep understanding of farmers’ pains and gains,” Batukhtina explained. “Our Innovation Center ensures knowledge transfer and fast-track adoption.”
Dealers are responding positively, citing strong demand for environmentally friendly solutions that improve crop health and yield while reducing chemical inputs.
Engineering precision: Kilter’s technical breakthrough
Achieving 6 mm placement accuracy was no small feat, added Anders Brevik, CEO of Kilter.
“You can’t buy a field-ready droplet applicator off the shelf. We had to design one that survives years of dust, vibration, temperature swings, and long operating days, while keeping droplet size, timing, and placement consistent. That takes deep agronomy knowledge, a lot of engineering, and thousands of hours of field testing.”
Kilter’s patented Single Drop Technology releases an ultra-coarse droplet onto each detected weed, sharply reducing drift compared to conventional spraying. This enables treatment of weeds inside crop rows without harming the plants.
Farmers report improved crop uniformity and lower costs
Pilot farmers, including Tjark Uhrbach of Uhrbach Gemüsebau in Germany, report significant reductions in herbicide use and manual weeding costs. “We’ve used AX-1 for two seasons on celeriac and beetroot and plan to scale up,” Uhrbach said. “It’s a great addition to our weed control toolbox.”
Unexpected benefits include improved crop uniformity, thanks to precise weed removal without disturbing young plants, Brevik revealed.
Meeting regulatory challenges head-on
With EU policy pushing toward low-risk herbicide alternatives, AX-1 offers a practical solution. By micro-dosing directly on weeds, growers can comply with strict regulations while avoiding phytotoxic effects common in broadcast spraying. In some cases, regulators may even permit actives previously incompatible with crops when applied via AX-1’s precision system.
Why it matters
Kubota’s partnership with Kilter signals a broader trend toward automation and sustainability in European vegetable farming. By combining AI, robotics, and precision chemistry, AX-1 could redefine weed management – cutting costs, boosting yields, and reducing environmental impact.
“EU policy is pushing toward low-risk herbicide alternatives,” Brevik said. “Tools like AX-1 needs to be used to get there.”
