Caterpillar announced an expanded collaboration with Nvidia to embed the Jetson Thor platform across its construction, mining and power systems. The deal covers in-cab AI features, edge computing recommendations for jobsite navigation and AI-powered autonomy at scale. Under the agreement, Nvidia will supply high-performance GPU modules and software tools, while Caterpillar will integrate real-time inferencing capabilities into its fleet. The initiative positions Caterpillar to process billions of sensor data points per second, reducing manual oversight and increasing machine utilization by an estimated 15% over current benchmarks.

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Caterpillar unveiled the Cat AI Assistant, built on Nvidia Riva open speech models and the company’s Helios data platform. The voice-activated assistant delivers personalized maintenance guidance, parts recommendations and safety alerts directly in the operator’s cab. Early field pilots reported a 20% reduction in unscheduled downtime during heavy-use scenarios, thanks to real-time troubleshooting and proactive alerts. The company plans a gradual rollout across its dealer network, targeting 5,000 units in North America by year-end 2026.

Caterpillar’s second-quarter results reflected the protective impact of expanded Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum, which rose to 50% by June. Sales climbed 10% year-over-year to $17.6 billion, while adjusted operating margin reached 17.5%. Backlog hit a record $39.8 billion, up 25% from the prior quarter, with strong demand in infrastructure and energy segments. CEO Joe Creed highlighted that tariff measures helped maintain pricing power, offsetting higher input costs and underpinning a 58% share gain over the past 12 months.

To support its digital transformation, Caterpillar pledged $25 million over five years to workforce development and innovation challenges. The global program will fund skill-building in AI, robotics and data analytics, with grants for community colleges and technical institutes. Over the past two decades, Caterpillar invested $30 billion in R&D and plans to raise its technology spending by 2.5× through 2030. The company forecasts that these investments will contribute up to 30% of incremental revenue growth by the end of the decade.