Caterpillar unveils AI assistant for operators and technicians

Caterpillar Inc. unveiled an artificial intelligence tool for its equipment portfolio at CES 2026, aiming to give customers, operators and technicians new ways to access data and make decisions on worksites.

The system, called Cat AI Assistant, combines Caterpillar’s digital applications and data into a conversational interface designed to provide real-time insights and guidance. The company said the tool can assist with equipment management, maintenance planning and operator support, both in the cab and off-site.

“Caterpillar’s strong digital foundation, including our Helios data platform that manages over 16 petabytes of data, is helping us move fast and deploy new AI capabilities to help our customers succeed,” said Ogi Redzic, Caterpillar chief digital officer. “Cat AI Assistant is a major leap forward in how Caterpillar supports customer success through best-in-class digital solutions, whether they’re working from corporate headquarters or at a remote jobsite.”

Caterpillar said the AI assistant can help fleet managers monitor equipment, provide step-by-step repair guidance for technicians and act as a real-time coach for machine operators. The system uses the NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform to process speech recognition and AI models at the edge, allowing operators to receive guidance without leaving the cab or switching screens.

The company said the tool is intended to address labor and skills shortages while helping operators and dealers make more efficient and informed decisions. Caterpillar plans to roll out off-board capabilities in the first quarter of 2026, with in-cab applications nearing final validation.