Kilter AS of Norway and Japan-based Kubota Corporation have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at scaling the adoption of ultra-precise robotic weeding technology across Europe. The collaboration centers on Kilter’s AX-1 precision weeding robot, which both companies will pilot and promote through selected Kubota dealers in Germany and the Netherlands beginning in 2025. The initiative targets a wide range of vegetable growers—including spinach, lettuce, herbs, celeriac, strawberries, and other bed-grown crops—seeking highly efficient, chemical-reducing weed control solutions.
The AX-1 is an autonomous robot designed specifically for bed-grown vegetable systems. Equipped with advanced AI-driven weed recognition technology, it delivers micro-doses of herbicide with approximately 6-millimeter placement accuracy. This ensures weeds are treated directly and individually, while cultivated plants remain untouched. At the core of the system is Kilter’s patented Single Drop Technology, which enables growers to reduce herbicide use by as much as 95%. By transferring weed selectivity from chemical formulations to precise application, AX-1 helps address major sector challenges such as a shrinking list of approved herbicides, resistance buildup, high registration costs for minor crops, and labor shortages for manual weeding.
The partnership builds on several seasons of cooperation between Kilter and Kubota. During the 2025 pilot period, multiple AX-1 units operated several times each week depending on crop type and growth stage. Farmers and participating dealers monitored yield performance, crop uniformity, plant vigor, and overall weeding effectiveness in comparison with conventional practices. Feedback from the pilot season was highly positive, with many growers reporting improved crop quality and reduced chemical reliance without increased risk to young plants.
Kubota highlights the collaboration as part of its wider strategy to meet growing demand for practical, environmentally focused technologies in European agriculture. The company notes that vegetable producers increasingly seek tools that encourage healthier crop development, accelerate harvest timelines, and improve overall product quality while meeting regulatory and sustainability expectations.
Through this partnership, Kubota will leverage its dealer network to connect customers with Kilter’s advanced robotics platform, offering sales, technical support, and field service. For Kilter, the joint effort provides a pathway to scale AX-1 adoption and demonstrate its value across diverse European growing conditions.
Both companies view the initiative as a step toward more sustainable, high-precision vegetable farming, combining robotics, data-driven accuracy, and reduced chemical inputs to support the next generation of agricultural production in Europe.
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