Caterpillar (CAT) is moving beyond driverless mining trucks and bringing autonomy to construction sites, unveiling new artificial intelligence-powered machinery developed in partnership with Nvidia at CES 2026. While carmakers continue to chase fully autonomous vehicles, the heavy equipment manufacturer says its technology is already mature enough for large-scale use in construction.

Speaking at the technology conference, Caterpillar chief executive Joe Creed outlined an expanded collaboration with Nvidia that will see advanced AI embedded across the company’s machines and digital management platforms. The initiative is designed to automate tasks, improve safety and lift productivity on job sites by integrating intelligence directly into equipment operations.

Central to the rollout is the new Cat AI Assistant, a voice-activated system that allows operators to interact with machines using spoken commands. The assistant will be introduced across a wide range of equipment, including excavators, dozers, loaders, compactors and haul trucks. Operators will be able to request information, carry out actions hands-free and access on-the-job guidance, helping both experienced users and those still learning.

Caterpillar plans to install the AI systems in newly manufactured equipment, while also offering retrofit options for older machines. The company says this approach reflects the long service life of construction equipment and ensures customers can adopt new technology without replacing entire fleets. Chief digital officer Ogi Redzic said the aim was to make day-to-day work easier for operators, owners and service technicians by reducing complexity and improving access to information.

Photo by Sindy Süßengut

The announcement comes as Caterpillar’s share price has surged to record territory, supported by strong demand linked to global infrastructure projects and the rapid expansion of AI data centres. The company’s shares reached an all-time high of about AUD 940 in December, before closing the most recent session at roughly AUD 895. Analysts have pointed to Caterpillar’s position as a major supplier of heavy machinery and high-capacity diesel generators as a key beneficiary of ongoing investment in digital infrastructure.

Creed acknowledged that launching industrial technology at what was once a consumer electronics showcase might seem unusual but argued that construction and mining sit at the foundation of the digital economy. From extracting the raw materials used in devices to building the data centres that power AI systems, Caterpillar’s equipment underpins much of the technology people rely on every day.

Industrial manufacturers have taken a more prominent role at CES in recent years, with companies such as Deere, Siemens, Bosch and Hyundai also showcasing automation and AI-driven systems. For Caterpillar, the shift highlights how advanced software and physical machinery are converging, positioning autonomous equipment as a core part of the future of construction rather than a distant ambition.