Caterpillar Trucks Can Be Operated By Drivers 3,000 Miles Away

As one of the biggest providers of large machinery for construction, mining, and demolition, Caterpillar already has a pretty impressive portfolio. However, in the recently concluded 2017 Edison Awards event, the company showcased how a fleet of its bulldozers that can be driven from 3,000 miles away. It was a spectacle right out of a sci-fi movie.

During the event, a number of representatives from the media and tech figures had the chance to take out some of these trucks for a spin via remote control. Futurism is one of the publications to send someone to attend the event and their impression is certainly positive.

One of the biggest advantage to this kind of technology would have to be the reduced level of danger that the operators of the trucks face. Regardless of whether it’s construction or transportation jobs, drivers are at constant risk from both the machines and the job hazard. By removing the human element from the immediate vicinity, Caterpillar helps to ensure that injuries and deaths are minimized.

As Caterpillar’s Innovation Viability Manager Tazio Grivetti notes, mining can be a particularly dangerous job. This is why, in addition to the remote operation capability, the company is also making good use of advanced intelligence technology to organize maneuvers with regards to other machinery that might impede the progress of the trucks. This would result in the minimization of risks to both people and property.

These technologies basically indicate that aside from the private sector, the heavy-machinery industry is also starting to transition to autonomous driving, or at least, semi-autonomous capabilities. Grivetti also stresses that the use of these vehicles is safe because they are equipped with a “kill switch” if something goes wrong. The company is heavily invested in both keeping their vehicles at the top of the game and ensuring that safety is a top priority.