World’s first hydrogen-powered tractor with remote control debuts

Japanese manufacturer Kubota has introduced the world’s first autonomous hydrogen fuel cell tractor, unveiled at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. Designed to tackle climate change and labor shortages in agriculture, the tractor runs on compressed hydrogen stored in tanks and delivers power equivalent to a 100-horsepower diesel engine through two electric motors—one for driving and one for powering implements. The hydrogen fuel cell generates electricity by reacting hydrogen with oxygen, producing only water as an emission, positioning it as a sustainable alternative for high-power, long-duration farm machinery. The tractor features advanced autonomous driving technology with AI cameras and sensors, enabling operation without an onboard driver. It can be remotely controlled via a monitoring station equipped with steering and pedals or close-up using a portable device. Notably, the tractor lacks a traditional driver’s station, emphasizing its fully autonomous design. Kubota has commenced field tests in Japan to evaluate the tractor’s autonomous capabilities, hydrogen refueling processes, and overall performance in agricultural tasks. This concept aims to combine