CES 2026 was a whirlwind of tech announcements aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and collaboration in the AEC space. For Caterpillar, that meant announcing a new NVIDIA partnership, a new AI assistant, and new autonomous-vehicle tech for not one but five new machines coming to market. Here’s the whole story behind the booth, the keynote, and what new technology Caterpillar showed at CES 2026.
Caterpillar CEO Joe Creed took the stage in a keynote address on Wednesday, January 7th, to discuss the company’s legacy of innovation and how 2026 will bring advanced tech to transform the customer experience. Keynote special guests included NVIDIA’s Deepu Talla, Vice President of Robotics and Edge AI, who announced an expanded collaboration in which NVIDIA’s AI platforms will integrate into new Caterpillar machines to support real-time AI processing, next-gen autonomy, and in-cab solutions.
“Caterpillar’s legacy of innovation is rooted in solving our customers’ toughest challenges, and that mission continues to guide our future,” said Creed. “Technology is accelerating and expanding our ability to meet customer needs by seamlessly connecting deep digital insights with our machine expertise to deliver solutions for their most critical tasks.”
Caterpillar’s Chief Digital Officer Ogi Redzic and Chief Technology Officer Jaime Mineart also joined Creed onstage to detail the latest innovations in AI, and the new autonomous (intelligent) vehicle lineup, including excavators, loaders, and dozers.
A new partnership with NVIDIA and advancements in autonomous tech
To fuel their new AI-driven strategy, Caterpillar partnered with AI tech giant NVIDIA. The collaboration aims to accelerate AI capabilities across supply chain operations and industries such as mining, manufacturing, and construction. Some of the new capabilities include AI-assisted safety features and operations, as well as data-driven productivity improvements across fleets.
In addition to machinery, the NVIDIA collaboration also promises to bring new digital twin technology to Caterpillar, thanks to NVIDIA AI Factory and Omniverse. The digital twin functionality will enable factories to optimize production processes by simulating operations before implementing new adjustments or changes to the floor.
Building on more than 30 years of autonomous technology, Caterpillar announced a new generation of intelligent machines designed to streamline construction operations worldwide. According to Caterpillar CTO Jaime Mineart, these new automated vehicles will create safer job sites, greater precision, and improved productivity.
Caterpillar’s first foray into autonomous technology began in the late 1980s, giving them the expertise to bring the industry’s first Level 4 autonomous machines to market. As of today, Caterpillar’s autonomous mining fleet has moved and distributed more than 11 billion tonnes of material. While information on specs is limited at CES, we can expect more details on tech specs and timelines in the coming year.
The new intelligent equipment line
The new autonomous line from Caterpillar can be seen on Caterpillar’s CES resources site, with all tasks completed without live operators in the cab. Some specific vehicle model numbers have been named, but the full lineup, powered by Cat VisionLink and Cat MineStar site systems, has yet to be unveiled in detail. Vehicles include:
- The CS12 compactor: Will include automated surface preparation for better safety and consistent quality.
- The D5 dozer: AI-powered precision grading and efficient earthmoving.
- The 745 haul truck: Autonomous distribution and hauling of materials like rock, soil, and sand.
- Loaders: Truck loading and material handling, including autonomous navigation and live data processing.
- Excavators: Autonomous loading, trenching, grading, and more.
Cat AI Assistant
To cap it all off, Caterpillar also unveiled the new Cat AI Assistant, the AI-driven platform to help users manage, maintain, and buy their Cat equipment more efficiently. This launch marks a new step in the industrial AI space, positioning the company as a key player in AEC AI and automation.
Using the AI assistant is as simple as saying “Hey Cat,” and asking a question regarding their machine. The result, thanks to the Helios data platform and vast knowledge base, is a hands-free response to any query, from onboarding and coaching to safety parameters and machine maintenance.
The impact on the industry
The competitive landscape for construction tech is tighter than ever. Many companies are using technology to prioritize safety, efficiency, and precision, reducing incidents and addressing the labor gap. It’s a tall order, but the biggest manufacturers are stepping up to the plate without hesitation.
At CES 2026, Caterpillar proved it’s not just keeping up with competitors—it’s leading the charge in AI, automation, and autonomous vehicle operations.
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