At bauma 2016, Doug Oberhelman, chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, unveiled a new strategy, tagged “The Age of Smart Iron,” aimed at improving productivity, efficiency, safety and probability to customers.

“Caterpillar is the world’s leading innovator around iron. We’re going to lead innovation in smart iron, too,” Oberhelman said at a news conference during bauma 2016, a major construction industry trade show held in Munich.

“While we always love to showcase our machines and engines, we’re equally excited about what’s at the center of our exhibit: Caterpillar technology,” said Rob Charter, Caterpillar group president. “This is not technology for technology’s sake. It is technology that’s focused on solving, and even anticipating, customer problems.  We’re taking the machines, locomotives, engines and parts we’re so well known for and making them smarter, while also equipping the people who operate them with data that makes them more productive, enhances safety and improves sustainability.”

Some of the highlights of the plan include:

• Cat Connect Technology: Hardware and software available for Cat or competitive equipment designed to help customers optimize their operations. These solutions include LINK, which captures vital performance and product health data and makes that data available on the web, GRADE and COMPACT, which aims at moving material faster, more accurately and with fewer passes. Then there is PAYLOAD, an on-board system for trucks and loading tools with the goal of increasing efficiency.
• Cat 360° Advantage, a collaboration between Caterpillar and Cat dealers to deliver a full complement of expertise, technology-enabled equipment and support services that address customers’ jobsite challenges.
• Leverage Every Litre, an educational initiative with tools, tips and resources that help Caterpillar customers improve the fuel efficiency of their products.