Caterpillar is collaborating with FieldAI to develop and deploy physical AI, autonomous systems, robotics, and digital-twin technology for industrial jobsites and manufacturing environments.
The collaboration is aimed at improving safety, productivity, and operational efficiency as industrial companies face labor shortages and increasing productivity requirements.
Caterpillar and FieldAI plan to combine Caterpillar’s industrial expertise, engineering capabilities, and operational data with FieldAI’s AI-enabled robot foundation models, which are designed to operate across complex and dynamic industrial environments.
Initial applications include autonomous inspections designed to increase safety and operational visibility, along with digital twins of jobsites and facilities that can provide real-time information about equipment, infrastructure, and operations.
The companies are also targeting enhanced situational awareness that can identify risks earlier and AI-driven operational optimization using simulation, automation, and real-time insights.
FieldAI’s robot-agnostic autonomy platform and foundation models are designed for industrial environments where conventional automation can struggle. Its technology can process large volumes of operational and jobsite data and transform that information into actionable insights.
The collaboration will also use NVIDIA accelerated computing, NVIDIA Omniverse technology, and high-fidelity digital twins developed from operational data. Caterpillar said the combination can improve site visibility and accelerate decision-making while supporting a new generation of industrial operations.
FieldAI develops general-purpose robot autonomy software designed to function as a common intelligence layer across multiple robots and tasks. The company has raised more than $400 million from investors including Bezos Expeditions, Emerson Collective, Khosla Ventures, Canaan Partners, NVentures, Prysm Capital, and Temasek.
KEY QUOTES:
“Modern manufacturing at Caterpillar is transforming how we work, from design to delivery, through advanced technology, digital innovation and a culture of continuous improvement. These technologies give our teams greater visibility into how our facilities operate and help us identify opportunities to improve safety, optimize flow and make more informed decisions. As our people embrace new ways of working, we are building manufacturing operations that respond faster to change and perform at their best.”
John Tuntland, Senior Vice President of Integrated Components Division at Caterpillar
“Caterpillar has shaped operations on jobsites and manufacturing facilities for over a century, and these are exactly the environments FieldAI excels in, with deployments spanning hundreds of sites worldwide. This collaboration brings leading physical AI capabilities to a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. Together, we are shaping the next century of AI-enabled heavy industry.”
Ali Agha, Founder and CEO of FieldAI
