Caterpillar engineers can design, test and refine machines without physically building them. The company just opened the Black Hills Engineering Design Center, offering a firsthand look at how virtual reality and advanced visualisation are transforming equipment development and training.
The 17,000-square-foot (1,579.35 square metre) facility serves as a hub, supporting Caterpillar teams worldwide across machines, engines, electrification and autonomy. Inside, teams use extended reality and digital prototypes to collaborate across continents, catch issues earlier and move faster – reducing the need for costly builds. The facility is home to about 100 employees – and growing – blending engineering with animation, design and data visualisation.
Caterpillar says the Rapid City team plays a critical role in its global organisation – developing tools and technologies that help teams design faster, make better decisions and deliver solutions to customers more efficiently. The investment also builds on a long-standing partnership with the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, continuing to strengthen the company’s pipeline of talent and innovation.
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