The AX-1 gets Kubota's dealers and parts warehouse. Kubota gets the farmer relationship.
Norwegian weeding-robot maker Kilter has signed a European framework agreement with Kubota for sales and distribution of its AX-1. It was signed on 22 July and announced on 7 October.[1]
The deal hands Kilter the part startups usually can't build: a dealer network. AX-1 spare parts are now stocked at Kubota's European Parts Center in Thionville, France, and participating dealers order them through the same channel they use for Kubota tractor parts. Kubota's Smart Farming Solutions department supports the rollout.[1]
The robot is already in commercial use in Germany and the Netherlands. France and the United Kingdom are next on the list, but only as markets being explored.[1] It uses machine vision to find each weed and hits it with a single drop of herbicide. Kilter claims herbicide cuts of up to 95% (company figure, not independently verified; 'up to' is a ceiling). Price: not published. Units deployed: not published.
What moves to Kubota, what stays with Kilter
| Function | Who | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Sales | Kubota dealers | Participating dealers, market by market |
| Spare parts | Kubota | European Parts Center, Thionville |
| Support | Kubota | Smart Farming Solutions dept. |
| Robot, vision, droplet tech | Kilter | Single Drop Technology |
Who owns the customer is the open question. If farmers buy through Kubota dealers, Kubota controls the sale, the service visit and the parts margin. Kilter keeps the vision stack.
Sources
- Kilter, 'Kubota and Kilter strengthen European partnership with new framework agreement', 7 Oct 2026. www.kiltersystems.com
- Kilter (official YouTube), 'Kilter AX 1 Product Demo'. www.youtube.com