Kubota gets innovation award from CES

Kubota North America has been recognized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) for its innovation and design work, earning it a “Best of Innovation” in the CES Innovation Awards 2025 program for the Kubota KATR, a compact, four-wheeled robot. (Photo: Kubota)

Kubota North America said it has been recognized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) with a “Best of Innovation” in the CES Innovation Awards 2025 program for the Kubota KATR, a compact, four-wheeled robot.

KATR has a cargo deck platform with stability control features that the company said will allow it to conduct work in demanding off-road agricultural and construction work environments, even on hills and slopes.

The compnay said its Innovation Award-winning product won best in the Industrial Equipment and Machinery product category by a panel of industry expert judges, including media, designers, engineers and more.

“At Kubota, we have a long-standing philosophy that our products must be technically excellent, be productive and enjoyable for our customers, and also ensure the sustainability of limited resources. Ultimately, our goal is to improve the quality of life for individuals and society,” said Brett McMickell, Kubota North America Chief Technology Officer, Grapevine, Texas. “Given the versatility of the KATR, it has a wide range of applications specifically designed to enhance productivity in the agriculture and construction sectors.”

The company said its design of KATR combined real-time stability control, robust construction and versatile operation for a variety of off-road applications. A proprietary algorithm processes sensor data in real-time, then commands the robot’s four hydraulically actuated legs to extend or retract to maintain the platform stability. Additionally, four independent motors provide robust all-terrain capability to navigate over challenging environments. It has a load capacity of 284 lb. (129 kg).

The robot can be powered by electric or an internal combustion engine, which Kubota said reflects its commitment to customer choice without compromise. The design of its steering system enables the KATR to be controlled remotely or via an onboard controller.

The CES Innovation Awards program is owned and produced by CTA, the host and organizer of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), planned for Jan. 7-10, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nev.