Luminar has entered into a collaboration with Caterpillar to integrate its LiDAR systems into Caterpillar’s autonomous vehicle platforms. The agreement aims to support Caterpillar’s efforts to expand automation in quarry and aggregate operations using Luminar’s Iris LiDAR technology.
As part of the partnership, Caterpillar’s Cat® Command for hauling systems will incorporate two Iris LiDAR units per truck, configured with a custom integration designed for Caterpillar’s off-highway vehicles. The technology is expected to assist in navigation and obstacle detection in industrial environments.
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“Autonomy continues to be a focus area as we work to help customers operate more safely and efficiently,” said Jaime Mineart, Chief Technology Officer at Caterpillar. “Integrating Luminar’s LiDAR into our systems aligns with that objective.”
Austin Russell, Founder and CEO of Luminar, said the agreement represents an opportunity to bring its sensor technology into industrial use cases. “Working with Caterpillar extends our technology into a new sector where precision and reliability are key,” Russell said.
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LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser pulses to generate 3D data of surroundings, helping machines navigate and detect obstacles. Caterpillar’s autonomous trucks have traveled over 334 million kilometers and moved more than 9.3 billion tonnes of material globally. The addition of Luminar’s LiDAR aims to support the continued development of these autonomous systems.
