How Kubota improved inspection training with eye tracking 

At Kubota’s manufacturing plant, quality inspections relied heavily on experienced team members passing along techniques and expectations to newer inspectors. While this approach kept operations running, there wasn’t a clear, consistent way to measure performance or provide targeted feedback.  

In many cases, opportunities for improvement were only discovered once a product had already reached the customer. 

That changed when Kubota’s IT headquarters introduced Tobii wearable eye trackers. Initially intended for creating assembly work instruction guides, the Manufacturing Quality team saw potential for a different use — improving inspection training and assessment.

A first-person view into inspections 

By capturing what inspectors actually see during their work, the technology made it possible to compare performance against a standard. Instead of relying on verbal feedback alone, trainers could use visual tools — like heat maps and Bee Swarm diagrams — to show exactly where attention was placed, which checkpoints were reviewed, and which might have been missed. 

The team developed a “detection ratio” metric to establish a baseline and track improvements. This allowed training to focus on the specific steps where an inspector needed support, speeding up skill development without overwhelming them with unnecessary retraining. 

From hesitation to engagement 

Some inspectors were initially cautious about wearing the devices in a busy manufacturing environment. But once they reviewed their own data, many appreciated how precise and detailed the feedback was. 

Expanding applications 

Kubota is now exploring other uses for the technology, including maintenance, product development, and refining work instruction guides. 

Advice from Kubota to others 

• Begin with one focused use case before expanding. 

• Ensure team members are comfortable so they can work naturally. 

• Consider uses beyond the most obvious; some of the best applications may be unexpected. 

By introducing Tobii eye tracking wearables into inspection training, Kubota gained a way to provide measurable, targeted feedback, supporting continuous improvement and maintaining high product quality.