LAS VEGAS, the United States, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Artificial Intelligence-powered machinery emerged as a key highlight of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG, which wrapped up over the weekend in Las Vegas.
Leading construction and mining equipment manufacturers from around the world showcased their latest innovations at North America's largest construction trade show, including AI systems and autonomous machinery, while AI-driven technologies attracted thousands of engineers and equipment operators to more than 150 education sessions.
U.S.-based Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of construction equipment, used the five-day event to launch its AI assistant platform KAI commercially across all its digital applications.
According to a transcript of the company's keynote address on Thursday afternoon, the system allows operators to use voice commands to limit boom height near electrical hazards and enables technicians to retrieve step-by-step service guidance without consulting printed manuals.
Caterpillar executives stated that the company's autonomous haulage systems in mining had moved more than 10 billion tons of material over more than three decades without a recorded safety incident. On the show floor, the company demonstrated an autonomous soil compactor and outlined plans to extend autonomous operations to construction job sites.
China's SANY Group, which displayed 32 machines and 17 attachments, demonstrated a driverless heavy truck system developed in partnership with autonomous vehicle company Pony.ai. According to company figures, a system in which one human-operated lead vehicle guides four driverless follower units could reduce freight costs by up to 29 percent in specific trial conditions.
Other Chinese manufacturers, including XCMG, LiuGong and Zoomlion, displayed autonomous electric fleets. These companies promoted what they termed the "Five Modernizations" at the show, a strategic framework that includes high-end, environmentally responsible and intelligent equipment development.
Komatsu, a leading Japanese manufacturer of construction, mining, forestry and industrial heavy equipment, showcased its Smart Quarry Autonomous system, developed with Pronto.ai, which enables autonomous haulage in quarry environments.
According to the company, the system can be retrofitted onto existing trucks, and Michael Gidaspow, chief digital officer of Komatsu North America, said it reduces reliance on skilled operators and enables more predictable haulage cycles.
Jahmy Hindman, chief technology officer of U.S. industry giant John Deere, said at a seminar during the event that some projections place the global construction market at approximately 16 trillion U.S. dollars within five years.
The industry would need to grow roughly 70 percent by 2040 to meet expected demand, he noted.
Ironspring Ventures reported that 2.6 billion dollars flowed into construction technology in 2025, which it characterized as a record. The firm projected that the figure would be exceeded in 2026. ■