Machinery Tractors Sabanto releases autonomy kit for Kubota M5 tractors Sabanto is approaching labor restrictions by retrofitting automation on smaller machinery, rather than having farmers purchase new, large tractors. By Alex Gray Alex Gray Alex joined the Successful Farming team in December 2021 as the New Products Editor. Alex has been with Dotdash Meredith since 2021, starting in the imaging department and working on magazines across the company's entire portfolio before moving to Successful Farming. Successful Farming's Editorial Guidelines Published on January 17, 2023 Close Photo: Kubota Sabanto has announced an autonomy retrofit kit for Kubota's line of M5 tractors. This marks the first time Sabanto's autonomous systems have been available to end users in North America, with systems for additional manufacturers and tractor models to be announced at a later date. Sabanto's approach to labor constraints is by introducing autonomous tech on smaller tractors like Kubota's M5. Rather than farmers purchasing larger machines, this technology is intended to introduce autonomous technology on lighter equipment to reduce compaction in the field and lower equipment costs. "We are completely disrupting the way the industry views autonomous equipment, and we are bringing in partners who share our vision," says Craig Rupp, founder and CEO of Sabanto. "We see a future of smaller, smarter, lighter, less expensive, and more sustainable swarms of autonomous equipment that will enable users to cover more ground with less." READ MORE: John Deere is working to transform consumers' perception of agriculture Sabanto's mission is to accelerate the adoption of autonomous technology in agricultural machinery. The company has conducted field testing for its technology across a fleet of 60 and 90 hp. Tractors, capable of autonomously tilling, planting, seeding, weeding, fertilizer application, and mowing. For more information about Sabanto's autonomous kits, visit sabantoag.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit