Iván Hernández Dalas: Caterpillar partners with NVIDIA to lay the foundation for autonomous systems

An autonomous dozer from Caterpillar.

An autonomous dozer from Caterpillar. | Source: Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. last week announced an expanded collaboration with NVIDIA Corp. The companies said they plan to develop AI-enhanced products and manufacturing systems together.

“As AI moves beyond data to reshape the physical world, it is unlocking new opportunities for innovation — from job sites and factory floors to offices,” stated Caterpillar CEO Joe Creed. “Caterpillar is committed to solving our customers’ toughest challenges by leading with advanced technology in our machines and every aspect of business. Our collaboration with NVIDIA is accelerating that progress like never before.”

The NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform enables real-time AI inference on Cat construction, mining, and power equipment. Caterpillar said this lays the foundation for next-generation autonomy and intelligent in-cab experiences. It added that the upgrades will ensure that assets are ready for AI-assisted and potentially autonomous operations. The Irving, Texas-based company cited the following examples:

  • In-cab AI features: An intelligent operator assistant can provide customers with personalized insights, as well as real-time coaching, productivity tips, and safety alerts.
  • Autonomy at scale: Construction and mining machines equipped with AI-driven recommendations, capable of processing billions of data points in milliseconds to navigate complex, variable jobsite conditions.
  • A new level of machine intelligence: Cat fleets powered by AI, machine learning, computer vision, and edge computing that process sensor data in real time and serve as a digital nervous system for customers’ jobsites.

AI assistant to help with maintenance and troubleshooting

At CES 2026, Caterpillar debuted the Cat AI Assistant, a proactive partner embedded in Cat digital and onboard products to help customers take confident action. It built the assistant using NVIDIA Riva open speech models for accuracy and lifelike voices.

Cat AI Assistant will answer questions and provide personalized recommendations on equipment, parts, maintenance, and more.

In cab, it will use voice activation to enable settings, guide troubleshooting, and connect users to the right resources across Cat apps and websites. Caterpillar said the assistant uses its own trusted data stored on the Helios unified data platform, so customers get reliable, context-rich information to make daily work easier.

NVIDIA and Caterpillar have ‘full-spectrum’ partnership

“For a century, Caterpillar has built the industrial machines that shaped the world,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “In the age of AI, NVIDIA and Caterpillar are partnering across the full spectrum – from autonomous construction fleets to the AI data centers powering the next industrial revolution.”

In addition, Caterpillar asserted that it is using its NVIDIA AI Factory to create safer, leaner, and more resilient manufacturing systems to meet evolving industry needs. The company said its digital data platform takes advantage of this accelerated AI infrastructure and NVIDIA AI libraries to automate and accelerate important production processes, including forecasting and scheduling.

Caterpillar is also building physically accurate digital twins of its factories on NVIDIA Omniverse libraries and OpenUSD. With these digital twins, Caterpillar teams can design, simulate, and optimize layouts and production processes before building in the real world.

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