Caterpillar expands mining tech with Skycatch deal

Caterpillar has acquired Skycatch, a provider of spatial data capture, processing and analysis solutions for the mining industry. Image: Adobe Stock

Caterpillar said the deal expands its portfolio of data-driven mining technology solutions, following its recent acquisition of RPMGlobal.

“Acquiring Skycatch aligns with our strategy to solve our customers’ toughest challenges,” said Denise Johnson, group president, Caterpillar Resource Industries.

“By integrating near-real-time, high-resolution spatial data into both RPM and MineStar solutions, we can help customers improve mine site performance by enhancing safety, productivity and predictability across their operations using both staffed and autonomous fleets.”

Skycatch’s technology captures high-frequency, high-precision, large-scale spatial data and pairs it with a suite of AI capabilities that identify, measure and interact with the data to deliver improved operational performance.

Caterpillar said this gives mining customers a more up-to-date view of their operations, improving the speed, accuracy and precision of decision-making.

By generating a near-real-time digital twin of a mining site and integrating it directly into existing software solutions, customers can incorporate accurate, current data into their planning and execution workflows.

Read an exclusive interview with Caterpillar’s CTO, Jaime Mineart.