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Caterpillar is driving a major leap forward in autonomous technology, announcing the introduction of intelligent machines engineered to transform construction operations worldwide.
The article below originally appeared in and is posted with permission from:
https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com
These innovations represent the culmination of more than three decades of research, development and real-world deployment in automation and machine intelligence, according to Caterpillar.
"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 of 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.
Performance
Caterpillar has been at the forefront of automation for more than 30 years, according to the company. 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 one of the first to deliver level 4 autonomy: machines that operate independently.
Today, Caterpillar's autonomous mining fleet is one of the largest and most proven in the world, having safely moved over 11 billion tons of material and traveled more than 236 million mi.
Technical Breakthroughs, 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 customers' 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.
The company's autonomy journey into construction also will be spotlighted at ConExpo-Con/AGG 2026.
For more information, visit caterpillar.com/.
