Caterpillar and Nvidia Partner to Bring Physical AI to the Mud in 2026
Caterpillar and Nvidia announced a major partnership at CES 2026 to integrate Jetson Thor-powered AI into construction machinery like the Cat 306 CR Mini Excavator.
AI isn't just for chatbots anymore; it's getting its hands dirty. Caterpillar, the heavy machinery titan, is deepening its integration of AI and automation through a strategic partnership with Nvidia.
Caterpillar Nvidia AI partnership 2026: The Cat AI Debut
At CES 2026 on January 7, 2026, Caterpillar demoed its new "Cat AI" system. Built on Nvidia’s Jetson Thor physical AI platform, the system is currently being piloted in the Cat 306 CR Mini Excavator. This isn't just a gimmick; it's a fleet of AI agents designed to help operators with everything from safety tips to resource management.
"Our customers don’t live in front of a laptop day in and day out; they live in the dirt. The ability to get the insights and take the action that they need while they’re doing the work is very important to them."
Digital Twins and Real-Time Data Flow
Caterpillar's machines are incredibly chatty. They send roughly 2,000 messages back to the company every single second. This massive stream of data powers digital twins of construction sites using Nvidia’s Omniverse. These simulations allow companies to test scheduling scenarios and precisely calculate material needs before a single scoop of dirt is moved.
For Nvidia, this partnership fits perfectly into their broader "Physical AI" strategy. Deepu Talla, Nvidia’s VP of robotics, noted that everyone is building robotics today, whether it's an autonomous car or a Caterpillar machine. Nvidia provides the full-stack ecosystem—including the Cosmos model family and simulation tools—to train and deploy these models.
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