In mid-November, Caterpillar expanded the compatibility of its Cat Command semi-autonomous technology to its mid-sized wheel loaders.

Granted, few if any farms will be able to take advantage of this system — for the moment, at least — but it’s interesting to see how other sectors are approaching the subject of autonomy. This is an interesting example of what’s going on elsewhere.

Cat Command allows an operator to sit at a remote location in front of a control console and video screens and operate a machine, instead of actually sitting in the cab. Its main purpose is to increase operator safety when machines need to operate in hazardous conditions or locations.

“By allowing the user to comfortably control the machine from a safe location,” Cat says in its announcement, “Command maintains high machine productivity in operating environments like demolition, environmental remediation, stevedoring and the handling of fertilizer, chips, and sawdust.”

The Command for Loading station connects to multiple machines at the same job site or different sites. Photo by: Caterpillar

The system can operate on a line-of-sight basis or remotely from miles away. Cat Command is a dealer-installed option that plugs seamlessly into a loader’s systems. It allows for easy switching between remote and regular in-cab operation. It connects to the machine’s electrical and hydraulic systems for fast input responses.

Integrated safety features stop all wheel loader movements when the A-stop or remote shutdown switch is pressed, wireless communication is lost, a severe fault is detected, or the Command console is tilted more than 45 degrees from normal operating position.

For non-line of sight operation, the Command for Loading station connects to multiple machines at the same job site or different sites. The user can operate multiple machines, one at a time either onsite or from miles away.

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