How Caterpillar & NVIDIA are Driving Mining Transformation

NVIDIA and Caterpillar are expanding their collaboration to bring physical AI capabilities to mining operations, with new technologies designed to optimise extraction processes and enable autonomous machinery across mine sites globally.

The partnership, announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, centres on deploying next-generation digital twins and edge computing systems across Caterpillar's mining equipment portfolio, addressing critical challenges in remote mining environments.

Joe Creed, Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar, says: "As AI moves beyond data to reshape the physical world, it is unlocking new opportunities for innovation. Caterpillar is committed to solving our customers' toughest challenges by leading with advanced technology in our machines and every aspect of business."

Autonomous mining equipment advances

Caterpillar is integrating the NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform into its mining assets to enable real-time processing capabilities essential for autonomous operations in extraction environments. These hardware upgrades could provide the foundation for self-operating mining fleets that process sensor data locally, functioning as a digital nervous system across mine sites.

According to Caterpillar, machines equipped with these systems process billions of data points in milliseconds. This capability could prove crucial for mining equipment navigating variable pit conditions and underground environments where split-second decisions impact both safety and productivity.

By processing data at the edge rather than relying on remote data centres, the technology addresses connectivity challenges inherent to remote mining locations. This approach helps autonomous mining fleets remain operational even in isolated sites where traditional network infrastructure proves unreliable or non-existent.

Operator support in mining cabs

The collaboration introduces new in-cab features designed specifically for the mining workforce, including an operator assistant that delivers insights and safety alerts in real time. This system offers coaching and productivity guidance to help mining operators manage complex extraction tasks, directly addressing the skills gap facing the mining industry.

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, US, Caterpillar debuted the Cat AI Assistant. This proactive tool uses NVIDIA Riva speech models to provide voice-activated support for mining equipment operators, offering maintenance recommendations and parts guidance based on real-time equipment data.

Inside mining cabs, voice activation allows operators to adjust settings and access troubleshooting information without taking attention away from critical tasks. The tool relies on data stored on the Helios unified data platform, creating a comprehensive support system for mining personnel.

The system's machine learning capabilities improve over time as it processes more operational data from mining environments. This continuous learning approach means the assistant becomes increasingly effective at predicting equipment issues and recommending preventative maintenance, potentially reducing downtime across mining operations.

Digital twins for mining facilities

Caterpillar is deploying an NVIDIA AI Factory to transform its mining equipment manufacturing and supply chain operations. This infrastructure helps create production systems that could reduce delays in delivering critical mining machinery to extraction sites globally.

The company uses its manufacturing digital data platform to build physically accurate digital twins of its factories producing mining equipment. These models use NVIDIA Omniverse libraries and OpenUSD to mirror real-world facilities with precision, allowing teams to design and optimise production layouts before implementing them physically.

By simulating factory workflows for mining equipment production, Caterpillar can identify potential bottlenecks before they impact delivery schedules to mining operations. This method could improve both the safety and efficiency of facilities during planning and expansion phases.

The digital twin technology also enables remote collaboration between engineering teams across different locations. Multiple stakeholders can interact with the same virtual factory environment simultaneously, testing modifications and reviewing proposed changes without disrupting actual production of mining equipment.

Mining sector implications

The collaboration creates an ecosystem affecting mine sites and the supply chains supporting them globally. Caterpillar plans to launch an off-board version of the Cat AI Assistant in the first quarter of 2026, with the company indicating plans to increase research spending through 2030.

Jensen Huang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NVIDIA, concludes: "For a century, Caterpillar has built the industrial machines that shaped the world. In the age of AI, NVIDIA and Caterpillar are partnering across the full spectrum – from autonomous construction fleets to the AI data centres powering the next industrial revolution."