Caterpillar’s machine autonomy acquistion

Caterpillar has made a key acquisition for machine autonomy technology.
By MJ Woof June 18, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
Caterpillar has considerable experience of using autonomous technology for its haul trucks in particular

Caterpillar has acquired assets from San Francisco-based robot and autonomy technology specialist Marble Robot. This move forms part of Caterpillar’s strategy for automation and autonomy technology. The company intends to utilise autonomous technologies for the next generation of jobsite solutions.

Caterpillar has amassed considerable experience of its own in using autonomous technology in the mining sector. The firm first unveiled its prototype autonomous mining trucks in 1996. And Caterpillar has been operating autonomous mining trucks in full production use for 20 years.

According to Caterpillar it will leverage the expertise of this new team to bring solutions to meet the changing needs of construction and quarrying sectors, as well as other industries.

The new team comprises leading roboticists with a long background in the industry. Caterpillar says that it intends to benefit from the team’s integrated on-board autonomy technology including perception, localisation and planning. These factors will be used to deliver smart, safe, productive and cost-effective solutions for its customers.

“We’re excited to join the autonomy team at Caterpillar,” said Kevin Peterson, former Marble CEO, now Caterpillar technologist. “In many ways, this completes a full circle for me. I had the privilege of working with Caterpillar early in my career at Carnegie Mellon, where they sponsored the development of the first generation of self-driving vehicle software. Now, with the acquisition of the Marble team, together we will drive the next generation of autonomy solutions for Caterpillar customers in the construction, quarry, industrial and waste industries.”

Caterpillar says that it is well-positioned to grow services based on its large installed base of connected equipment, field technology and product, service and application expertise. The company will continue to make investments in emerging technologies, such as automation and autonomy, to bring innovative solutions to industry.

“Our customers need the best solutions for running an effective jobsite, with improved operator productivity, lower operating costs, and greater efficiency brought by autonomous solutions,” said Karl Weiss, Caterpillar chief technology officer. “That’s why we’re continuing to invest in the areas of automation, remote control and autonomy.”

Connected Construction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • The future of autonomy
    January 13, 2023
    The panel of experts from Trimble and Dynapac discussed where the construction industry is on the path to autonomy at present, where it is heading, and Trimble’s overall corporate vision for the future. Trimble’s philosophy is that machine autonomy is about more than just controlling the machine. To move the industry forward, autonomy solutions must also turn real-time data into real-time information to optimise and coordinate the jobsite of the future according to Trimble. Providing full access to that data presents a challenge, but can be achieved.
    Read More
  • Future-proofing construction & quarrying equipment sustainability
    February 16, 2023
    Sustainability is a huge topic across the construction and quarrying industry – not just in terms of what can be achieved tomorrow via carbon-free hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen internal combustion engines of machine fleets, but today, through the use of smart technology to make jobsites more efficient and sustainable by getting work done right first time, every time
    Read More
  • HxGN Live 2014 attracts record event numbers
    August 28, 2014
    Attracting an HxGN Live event record-breaking 3,500 attendees, HxGN Live 2014 held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, US, June 2-5 showcased exciting new and in-demand design, measurement and visualisation technologies for industries including road construction and mining. Themed Great Stories Start Here, this year’s event also included a variety of exclusive presentations by industry experts, hands-on training, inspiring keynotes and international networking opportunities. Guy Woodford reports In
    Read More
  • How data mining and the intelligence it creates is helping sites run more effectively and efficiently
    December 13, 2022
    In this, the third in our series of top-level roundtable discussions led by World Highways, editor Mike Woof and roundtable host Nadira Tudor talk machine control technology with three world-class experts from Leica Geosystems (part of Hexagon), Topcon, and Trimble. There’s never been a more exciting time to be in construction as innovation makes us more productive, more efficient, more sustainable, and better connected. Autonomy means opportunity.
    Read More

Highlighted Content