Skip to main content

Caterpillar demonstrates remote control capabilities

From its Gold Lot stand, Caterpillar is remotely operating a D8T dozer situated 1,700 miles away in Peoria, Illinois. The CAT Command remote control system offers a choice of two operator interfaces - a portable operator console designed for line-of-sight use and an ergonomically-designed operator station that can be located remotely.
March 7, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Caterpillar D8T Dozer

From its Gold Lot stand, 178 Caterpillar is remotely operating a D8T dozer situated 1,700 miles away in Peoria, Illinois.

The CAT Command remote control system offers a choice of two operator interfaces - a portable operator console designed for line-of-sight use and an ergonomically-designed operator station that can be located remotely. When the dozer is equipped with the Command Vision System and wireless connectivity it enables the operator to work from a remote location, enhancing site and operator safety.

According to Brad Van De Weer, CAT Market Professional, heavy equipment, the system feels as though you are actually operating from the cab.

“Although we are 1,700 miles away, we have full controllability of the machine,” he said. “If I turn the throttle up and release the park brake I can raise the blade up and down, turn it right and left, I can raise and lower the ripper and control the travel controls on the left hand side of the controls.”

“It’s as if you were in the machine itself, very little time delay with operation, it’s very controllable, smooth and productive. The camera systems are placed in areas to simulate the operator’s view from the cab, but you actually gain in terms of perspective. The features and benefits are focused on safety - we don't want operators putting themselves in danger.”

“The system was initially developed for mining applications being installed on our D10 and D11’s. Now that it’s been made available on our construction line, there’s a lot of demand for it on our D8T. We are focused on dozers for now but we’re looking to implement this technology in wheel loaders and excavators soon.”

“Visitors to the stand will be able to operate the machine let it track around the course and to get an idea of how the controls feel and operate,” he said.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Cleaner engines, reduced emissions
    April 11, 2012
    The forthcoming Tier 4 emissions legislation represents a great leap forward in technology, Mike Woof reports A high-profile focus on sustainability and reduced environmental impact is sweeping the construction sector in the European Union (EU) and the US. The EU and the US will implement regulations for the lowest emission off-road machines in history, with Canada and Japan expected to release similar regulatory programmes this year. The legislation being introduced will transform the construction indu
  • Blade Runner: 'two-in-one' machine
    March 7, 2012
    The new Blade Runner Series B from New Holland combines the characteristics of a crawler excavator and a crawler dozer. The combination of two machines is the solution that New Holland designed to enable the user to carry out different jobs with a single product. The Blade Runner from New Holland and its partner Kobelco (who have developed the Series B by combining the technological experience of the two manufacturers) allows the operator to work with precision and agility in applications such as digging di
  • Volvo CE stages successful six-site paving demo
    April 11, 2013
    Volvo Construction Equipment’s (CE) dealer in the Netherlands, Kuiken, recently hosted a live, five-day demonstration program using a Volvo P7820C ABG paver machine. On a road trip across the country, the Kuiken team visited six different customers, travelling more than 1,700km in total, and clocking up more than 60 hours of paving. “We wanted to test how the market and existing customers, as well as potential ones, would react to the Volvo P7820C ABG machine,” says Arjen Mostert, sales & support manager of
  • Everything is AquaClear for Terex Washing Systems
    March 11, 2017
    Terex Washing Systems (TWS) has staged the global launch of Terex AquaClear Water Management Solutions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017. Oliver Donnelly, TWS global business line director, said: ‘It really is an exciting time for TWS and we are delighted to be able to offer an end-to-end solution for washing and water management from TWS, a single supplier. We are launching a full range of water management products to include clarifying tanks, flocculent dosing systems, filter presses and all associated equipment