How Caterpillar is Capturing the Imagination of its Customers

What do Snapchat and Caterpillar have in common? You could argue that both have unmistakably established their brand with that familiar yellow. However, one particular trait the social media phenomenon and the heavy equipment manufacturer share may not be as obvious: their unique uses of Augmented Reality to enhance and ultimately transform a user’s experience.

In simple terms, AR allows virtual objects to appear in front of you, as though they are in the real world. So, what’s the benefit for Caterpillar?

This technology is being deployed as a new way for operators to receive and communicate critical information and standardize complex processes through the use of sensory inputs such as sound, video and graphics.

While wearing a pair of AR glasses, job site information delivered becomes interactive and able to be digitally manipulated by an operator.

“Just think about sitting in your car, and no longer having a physical dashboard. Then, when you put on the AR glasses, all of that information – dashboard gauges, radio, switches, etc. – appears along with the ability to interact with it,” says Lonny Johnson, a senior engineer at Caterpillar.

By superimposing the right information in the right place at the right time, Caterpillar can simplify the overall electrical complexity of a machine’s cab. AR glasses also allow the operator to customize his or her machine interface.

For less experienced operators, a pictorial map can be especially helpful. “It allows operators to experiment with radically different interfaces, and receive guiding commands about those interfaces,” Johnson said.

By investing in this technology, Caterpillar is able to reduce costs, increase efficiency and enhance job site experiences.

“Caterpillar embraces parts, pieces, and products that are part of 21st-century life. In doing so, we are no longer confined to the area of the display,” Johnson said.  

Whether you are using Cat® yellow iron to move dirt, or just snapping yourself next to it, AR technology is dramatically changing the landscape of its respective industries.

*The article was originally published in Caterpillar's website: http://www.caterpillar.com/en/company/chi/ciw-ar-cab.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=CaterpillarInc&utm_term=sf50356728&utm_medium=social&utm_content=innovation_Customer/Dealer/Product&sf50356728=1

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