Caterpillar is taking another advanced step in the world of autonomous technology with the introduction of intelligent machines engineered to transform construction operations. These new solutions represent the culmination of more than three decades of research, development, and real-world deployment in automation and machine intelligence.
“By embedding autonomy into construction workflows, we’re reshaping the industry to achieve safer job sites, better jobs and easy precision that redefines productivity for the modern job site,” said Jaime Mineart, chief technology officer, Caterpillar.
Intelligent product lines will include:
- Excavators: Autonomous trenching, loading, grading, and more.
- Loaders: Material handling and truck loading, powered by autonomous navigation and real-time data processing.
- Haul trucks: Off-road machines that carry and distribute massive amounts of materials like rock, soil, and minerals.
- Dozers: Precision grading and earthmoving for optimal efficiency.
- Compactors: Automated surface preparation, ensuring consistent quality and safety for construction.
- Site optimization: Cat VisionLink and Cat MineStar site systems connect fleets and enable coordinated, intelligent operations across the job site.
The forefront of automation
Caterpillar has been working diligently to transform job sites with advanced technology for more than 30 years. The company’s entry into autonomy began in the 1980s with a partnership with Carnegie Mellon, developing software, GPS and perception systems that led to Caterpillar’s first autonomous truck tests.
In the 1990s, Caterpillar teams advanced capabilities in sensing, positioning, and control that became the foundation of autonomous operations today. By the mid-2000s, the company advanced real-world testing under extreme conditions, and, as a result, the Caterpillar is able to deliver Level 4 autonomy: machines that operate independently.
Today, Caterpillar’s autonomous mining fleet has safely moved over 11 billion tonnes of material and travelled more than 380 million kilometres.
Technical breakthroughs and machine intelligence
Caterpillar’s autonomous solutions are built on a foundation of AI, machine learning, computer vision, and edge computing that process sensor data in real time and serve as a digital nervous system for contractors” job sites. Integrated LiDAR, radar, GPS, and high-resolution cameras provide a 360-degree, constantly updated digital view of the job site, enabling precise and reliable autonomous operations — even in complex and chaotic environments.
“Together with our customers, we’re transforming the industries we serve — one job site, one breakthrough, one bold idea at a time,” said Mineart.
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