Caterpillar looking to build robotic machinery

Robotic machines certainly aren't reserved for just party hopping -- as we've seen automated firefighters and unassisted surgeons doing their thang already -- and Caterpillar isn't about to fall behind the times, as its looking to "smart iron" to maintain that edge in the oh-so-fierce heavy machinery biz. By investing a hefty amount of its non-finance revenue back into R&D, CAT is hoping that within a few years its earthmovers will be operating sans the operator. While also working on fuel cell-powered machines on the side, the company is looking into GPS integration in order to examine terrain, geography, and location from afar, as well as utilizing autonomous instructions to handle lifting, moving, and the myriad of dirty chores those yellow behemoths must handle. While machines that roll solo are certainly ideal, remote controlled versions are also being evaluated, so expertly trained drivers can direct their vessel(s) from the comfort of a dust free, air conditioned office. CAT's CEO is definitely amped about the robotic possibilities, and reportedly hopes to see results wheeling around your neighborhood "10 or 15 years down the road."

[Xavier Gill @ Sep 25th 2006 4:22AM]

Maybe Caterpillar will sell these to Isreal aswell so this time they won't feel as guilty knocking down Palestinian homes.

[Ed Balaban @ Sep 25th 2006 4:26AM]

You've said all that needs to be said!

[Joshua @ Sep 25th 2006 7:48AM]

I'm actually more of a fan of sending these bad-boys to terraform the moon...or Mars.

Bring on Total Recall baby!

[Dp462090 @ Sep 25th 2006 8:22AM]

Hopefully with bullet proof glass this time!

[Joshua @ Sep 25th 2006 8:39AM]

No bulletproof glass...that would make it too easy!

[strider_mt2k @ Sep 25th 2006 9:11AM]

-and how about that power-suit thingy Ripley had in Aliens?

That was cool.

[Ed @ Sep 25th 2006 9:51AM]

Am I the only one who thought of Theodore Sturgeon's classic sci-fi story, "Killdozer"?

[Peter Payne @ Sep 25th 2006 10:09AM]

Make Labors, from the anime series Palabor. Useful for construction, law enforcement, all that stuff!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patlabor

[Peter Payne @ Sep 25th 2006 10:15AM]

Oh, and I thought you guys said we didn't have to click the email for our comments. That's quite annoying, you know. Since I am a registered user and have posted [n] times, perhaps we could be pre-approved or something?

[Stephen @ Sep 25th 2006 10:19AM]

Nooooooooooooooo!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devastator_(Transformers)

[John Stracke @ Sep 25th 2006 10:59AM]

So are these the robot overlords, or their disposable muscle-bound henchmen?

[Timerider @ Sep 25th 2006 11:05AM]

Oh great, now we're going to have 30-foot tall dump trucks with 12-foot tires going berserk and crushing people to death.

[James @ Sep 25th 2006 12:28PM]

I, for one, welcome our robotic bulldozing overlords!

[James @ Sep 25th 2006 2:44PM]

Ok, that was lame, but R/C heavy machinery would be pretty cool. Imagine, being able to demolish a building while sitting at home eating Cheerios and in underwear.