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Introduction to the Partnership

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with NVIDIA, aiming to usher in a new era of innovation within the heavy industry sector. This partnership focuses on the development and implementation of next-generation technologies that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to dramatically enhance customer experiences, manufacturing systems, and operational efficiencies. As industries evolve, this collaboration is set to redefine the standards of productivity and safety on job sites and within factories.

The Vision Behind the Collaboration

In a recent statement, Caterpillar's CEO Joe Creed highlighted the transformative potential of AI, indicating that the technology's advancement is shifting from solely data processing to reshaping physical operations and workflows. This shift requires innovative thinking and solutions that meet the unique challenges faced by their customers, dealers, and employees. By working closely with NVIDIA, a leader in AI technology, Caterpillar is accelerating its journey towards revolutionizing the industry with cutting-edge tools and insights.

Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the long-standing influence of Caterpillar in the industrial machinery sector. He noted the strategic alignment between their shared vision of harnessing AI to achieve comprehensive excellence, from autonomous fleets in construction to sophisticated data centers that fuel the next industrial revolution.

Equipping for an AI-Enabled Future

Caterpillar is making substantial investments to prepare its equipment and technologies for an AI-enhanced future. A pivotal component of this initiative is the NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform—a powerful system that facilitates real-time AI inference capabilities on Caterpillar's construction and mining machinery. This upgrade paves the way for a new generation of autonomous machines.

Key Features:

1. In-Cab AI Assistance: An intelligent assistant will be introduced, offering personalized insights to operators, delivering real-time coaching, safety alerts, and productivity tips, enabling them to work effectively and confidently.

2. Autonomy at Scale: AI-driven recommendations will empower machines to analyze billions of data points in milliseconds, effectively adapting to complex job site conditions.

3. Advanced Machine Intelligence: AI, machine learning, computer vision, and edge computing technologies will allow Caterpillar fleets to process sensor data in real-time, acting as a digital nervous system for jobsites.

The Cat® AI Assistant

One of the highlights of this collaboration is the debut of the Cat AI Assistant, unveiled at CES 2026. This innovative tool acts as a proactive partner embedded within Caterpillar's digital and onboard products, facilitating ease of use and operational confidence. Built on NVIDIA's Riva open speech models, the Cat AI Assistant engages users through voice activation.

The assistant is designed to answer questions and guide customers on equipment, parts, maintenance, and other vital aspects of their work. It utilizes dependable data from Caterpillar's Helios unified data platform, ensuring that clients receive accurate, context-rich information to streamline their daily tasks.

Transforming Manufacturing Processes

In addition to enhancing equipment, Caterpillar is also implementing the NVIDIA AI Factory to revolutionize its manufacturing processes. This digital data platform leverages NVIDIA AI technologies to automate and expedite key manufacturing processes such as forecasting and scheduling. This transformation aims to create safer, more efficient, and adaptable production systems.

Furthermore, Caterpillar is building accurate digital twins of its factories utilizing NVIDIA Omniverse libraries. This approach allows teams to simulate and optimize layouts and processes prior to physical implementation, facilitating improved operational efficiency and resource management.

Driving Innovation in Heavy Industry

The partnership between Caterpillar and NVIDIA serves as a beacon of industrial innovation. This collaboration is set to transform how machines operate, how jobsites are managed, and how supply chains function in the ever-evolving landscape of heavy industry. Through these initiatives, both companies are committed to establishing a new benchmark for innovation in this vital sector, helping pave the way for a more agile, intelligent, and sustainable future in industrial operations.

About Caterpillar Inc.

With a rich legacy spanning 100 years, Caterpillar Inc. has positioned itself as a global leader in the manufacture of construction and mining equipment, as well as using off-highway diesel engines and industrial gas turbines. In fiscal year 2024, the company generated sales and revenues of approximately $64.8 billion. Through its commitment to advanced technologies and a sustainable future, Caterpillar continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a better world for its customers and beyond.