At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Caterpillar unveiled a prototype AI assistive system called “Cat AI” that promises to take automation to new—and even somewhat scary—heights. Cat AI is underpinned by Nvidia’s Jetson Thor physical AI platform. It has the potential to completely transform the way machine operators communicate with their equipment. This pioneering new system is the latest step in Caterpillar’s long-term mission to add high-end smart technology to its construction equipment.
The Cat AI system makes use of a dynamic fleet of intelligent AI agents to deliver an all-seeing eye of support to machine operators everywhere. And it provides just-in-time support by responding to operators’ queries in real time. This helps them stay informed with critical resources and offers crucial safety reminders under a “moving workplace.” Moreover, Cat AI can even autonomously schedule regular maintenance services for machines to enable peak performance and especially minimize unplanned downtime.
Brandon Hootman, Caterpillar’s vice president of data and AI, emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges faced by their customers in the field. He stated, “The reason that we started here was it was a real challenge for our customers today that needed to be addressed, and something that we had some real momentum on and we felt like we could bring to market pretty quickly.”
Caterpillar now has Cat AI in live pilot mode on its mid-size Cat 306 CR Mini Excavator. This move is consistent with the firm’s broader strategy to invest even more in automation across its product suite. Hootman noted that Caterpillar already operates fully autonomous vehicles in the mining sector, showcasing their commitment to advancing technology in heavy machinery.
At the heart of this system lies an impressive capability: Caterpillar’s machines transmit approximately 2,000 messages back to the company every second. That stream of data is the lifeblood of developing new, advanced AI solutions among all developers. Cat AI is one such solution that truly delivers for operators afflicted by the harshest environments.
Nvidia sees physical AI as the next great frontier for its mighty GPUs. As Deepu Talla, a vice president at Nvidia put it, “Physical AI is the next wave of AI.” This partnership between Caterpillar and Nvidia is a leading indicator of their common commitment to a future where construction technology drives productivity.
Hootman further highlighted the practical aspects of Cat AI by stating, “Our customers don’t live in front of a laptop day in and day out. They live in the dirt.” And we want these solutions to adapt easily to the everyday workflows of heavy equipment operators. These kinds of solutions should deliver the help they need, directly on their job-site.
As Caterpillar continues to innovate and expand its technological capabilities, Cat AI represents a significant step forward in enhancing productivity and safety for construction professionals. The company’s committed to continuing to find new ways to apply automation. This commitment guarantees that customers will receive the greatest tools available to help them prosper in their new, more demanding ecosystems.