Articles tagged with "digital-twins"
Caterpillar taps Nvidia to bring AI to its construction equipment
Caterpillar is advancing the integration of artificial intelligence and automation into its construction equipment through a collaboration with semiconductor leader Nvidia. The company is piloting an AI assistive system called “Cat AI” on its Cat 306 CR Mini Excavator, showcased at CES. This system, built on a fleet of AI agents, enables machine operators to ask questions, access resources, receive safety tips, and schedule maintenance, all while working on-site. A key advantage of Cat AI is its ability to collect and transmit extensive operational data—Caterpillar’s machines send about 2,000 messages per second—providing actionable insights without requiring operators to be tied to laptops. In addition to AI assistive technology, Caterpillar is experimenting with digital twins of construction sites using Nvidia’s Omniverse simulation platform. These digital models help optimize scheduling and accurately estimate material needs by leveraging the rich data collected from the equipment. Caterpillar already operates fully autonomous vehicles and views these pilot programs as foundational steps toward broader automation across
robotAIconstruction-equipmentautomationNvidiadigital-twinsautonomous-vehiclesGenie Sim 3.0 launches as AGIBOT expands open robotics simulation
AGIBOT has launched Genie Sim 3.0, an advanced open-source robot simulation platform unveiled at CES 2026, designed to accelerate the development and evaluation of embodied intelligence in robotics. The platform integrates tightly with NVIDIA Isaac Sim on NVIDIA Omniverse, creating a unified pipeline that combines digital asset creation, scene generation, data collection, automated evaluation, and physics-based simulation. Central to Genie Sim 3.0 is the Genie Sim Benchmark, a standardized evaluation system covering over 200 tasks across 100,000+ simulated scenarios, aiming to provide comprehensive capability profiles for robotic models rather than narrow metrics. A key feature of Genie Sim 3.0 is its extensive open-source dataset, which includes more than 10,000 hours of synthetic data reflecting real-world robot operations across multiple sensor modalities such as RGB-D, stereo vision, and whole-body kinematics. The platform incorporates automated data collection with teleoperation, scripted task execution, auto-annotation, and failure recovery to reduce time and
roboticsrobot-simulationembodied-intelligencedigital-twinsAI-simulationNVIDIA-Isaac-Simopen-source-roboticsSiemens, NVIDIA outline roadmap for AI-driven factories at CES 2026
At CES 2026, Siemens and NVIDIA announced an expanded partnership to develop an Industrial AI Operating System aimed at embedding artificial intelligence throughout the entire industrial lifecycle—from design and engineering to manufacturing, operations, and supply chains. This platform will enable factories to simulate process changes virtually, test improvements in real time, and apply validated insights directly on the shop floor. The first fully AI-driven, adaptive manufacturing site using this system is planned for 2026 at Siemens Electronics Factory in Erlangen, Germany. NVIDIA will supply AI infrastructure, simulation libraries, and frameworks, while Siemens will contribute industrial AI expertise alongside its hardware and software offerings. Together, they aim to create AI-native workflows that accelerate innovation, reduce costs and risks, and shorten commissioning times. Central to the initiative is the use of continuously analyzing digital twins powered by an AI Brain combining software-defined automation, industrial operations software, and NVIDIA Omniverse libraries. This approach allows factories to test and optimize processes virtually before real-world implementation, improving decision-making speed and
robotAIindustrial-automationdigital-twinsmanufacturing-technologysimulationNVIDIAFrom Models to Money: Reflections on a Year of Practical Decarbonization - CleanTechnica
The article "From Models to Money: Reflections on a Year of Practical Decarbonization" offers a detailed reflection on a year of work focused on translating decarbonization theory into actionable, real-world solutions. The author expresses deep gratitude for the collaborative nature of this work, emphasizing that progress stems from shared expertise and ongoing dialogue. A key milestone highlighted is the launch of Trace Intercept, a UK-based B2B SaaS platform providing digital twins for underground water infrastructure, which addresses climate resilience through practical, measurable solutions valued by asset owners. Alongside this, the author’s consulting firm, TFIE Strategy, engaged with NGOs like Trifecta Ireland and Supergrid Europe, focusing on strategic sequencing, political economy, and realistic capital movement rather than idealistic slogans. The author also contributed to developing pragmatic, long-term decarbonization roadmaps, such as a five-year plan for Ireland’s energy future and scenario workshops for the Netherlands’ grid operator TenneT, emphasizing the importance
energydecarbonizationdigital-twinsclimate-changeenergy-transitionsustainabilityenergy-infrastructureParallax Worlds raises funding for hyper-realistic digital twins to test robots - The Robot Report
Parallax Worlds, a San Francisco-based startup specializing in hyper-realistic digital twins for robotics testing, recently raised $4 million in seed funding, bringing its total funding to $4.9 million. Led by Pear VC with participation from several venture firms and angel investors, the financing will support research and development, staffing, and product commercialization. The company’s co-founders, Tanmay Agarwal and Aumkar Renavikar, bring strong backgrounds in robotics and industrial automation, having worked with institutions like Stanford and companies such as BMW and Michelin. Parallax Worlds’ platform creates high-fidelity digital twins from simple video captures, such as iPhone walkthroughs, enabling robot developers to simulate and stress test AI-based robots—particularly those using cameras for tasks like metal sanding, welding, and pick-and-place operations—before physical deployment. This approach addresses the costly, slow, and risky transition from pilot programs to full-scale production in factories by allowing users to measure reliability and performance upfront, compress on-site
roboticsdigital-twinsAI-robotsindustrial-automationfactory-automationsimulation-softwarerobotics-testingThe retrofit renaissance reviving bridges and railways
The article highlights the growing movement to retrofit and preserve historic railway infrastructure, such as bridges and train stations, which serve as vital anchors of community identity. In the UK, the Historical Railways Estate manages around 3,100 heritage railway structures, many dating back to the Victorian era. Retrofitting these assets is often more sustainable and cost-effective than replacement, reducing material use and emissions while extending the lifespan of these culturally significant landmarks. Modern engineering employs digital tools like 3D scans and digital twins to precisely model aging structures, enabling minimally invasive interventions that enhance safety without compromising historic character. The preservation of such infrastructure is not only a technical challenge but also a cultural imperative, as these landmarks embody the "soul" of communities and their history. Public opposition often arises against proposals perceived as damaging to heritage sites, exemplified by backlash to plans for new construction over London’s Grade-II listed Liverpool Street Station. Advocates emphasize the need for careful, respectful retrofits that maintain the original design and involve
energymaterialsinfrastructureretrofittingsustainabilityheritage-preservationdigital-twinsRapid carbon-to-stone tech nears industry deployment after 2,500-hour operational run
Paebbl, a Netherlands-based startup specializing in carbon mineralization, has achieved significant engineering milestones that bring its rapid carbon-to-stone technology closer to industrial deployment. Unlike the natural process that takes centuries, Paebbl claims it can lock CO₂ into rock-like materials within hours at a scale suitable for commercial use. Recently, the company’s R&D center surpassed critical operational benchmarks, including 500 continuous hours at its Demo plant and over 2,000 hours at its Pilot plant, marking a transition from isolated tests to continuous operation. These achievements demonstrate a rapid scale-up trajectory and coincide with growing demand from construction firms seeking lower-carbon materials. The Demo plant, equipped with comprehensive sensor systems, enables real-time data collection and remote monitoring, accelerating development through immediate feedback and an internal AI knowledge system that facilitates seamless information flow. Paebbl heavily relies on digital twins and extensive simulations to optimize reactors and production lines, aiming to reduce costs and speed material development. The Pilot plant maintains consistent output while cost
carbon-capturecarbon-mineralizationmaterials-scienceindustrial-technologydigital-twinsAI-in-manufacturingdecarbonization-materialsNvidia, Deutsche Telekom strike €1B partnership for a data center in Munich
Nvidia and Deutsche Telekom have announced a €1 billion partnership to build a new data center in Munich, dubbed the “Industrial AI Cloud.” This facility will deploy over 1,000 Nvidia DGX B200 systems and RTX Pro Servers equipped with up to 10,000 Blackwell GPUs to deliver AI inferencing and related services to German companies while adhering to German data sovereignty laws. Early collaborators include Agile Robots, which will assist in server rack installation, and Perplexity, which plans to offer localized AI inferencing services. Deutsche Telekom will provide the physical infrastructure, while SAP will contribute its Business Technology platform and applications, targeting industrial use cases such as digital twins and physics-based simulations. The project aligns with broader European efforts to reduce dependence on foreign technology infrastructure and promote domestic AI capabilities, although funding for AI in the EU remains significantly lower than in the U.S. Unlike the EU’s AI gigafactory initiative, this data center is a separate endeavor expected to become operational in early 2026
robotAIdata-centerindustrial-AIDeutsche-TelekomNvidiadigital-twinsHow NVIDIA is bringing physical AI to its industrial customers - The Robot Report
NVIDIA is advancing the use of physical AI in industrial settings by enabling leading manufacturers and robotics companies to build digital twins of their factories using its Omniverse platform. Major companies such as Siemens, Foxconn Fii, Wistron, and Caterpillar are leveraging Omniverse technologies to create realistic 3D models integrated with live operational data, facilitating factory design, simulation, optimization, and real-time monitoring. Siemens is pioneering digital twin software compatible with NVIDIA’s Mega Omniverse Blueprint, currently in beta and integrated into the Siemens Xcelerator platform. Additionally, robot vendors like FANUC and Foxconn support 3D, OpenUSD-based digital twins, allowing manufacturers to easily incorporate robotic equipment into their virtual factory environments. At the GTC D.C. event, NVIDIA also introduced the Blackwell-powered IGX Thor robotics processor, designed to bring real-time physical AI to edge devices with high-speed sensor processing and enterprise-grade reliability. This platform is already adopted by companies including Diligent Robotics
roboticsAIdigital-twinsNVIDIA-Omniverseindustrial-automationcollaborative-robotsfactory-simulationHow Amazon cut development time of new Blue Jay robot
Amazon has developed the Blue Jay robot, which integrates three key warehouse functions—picking, stowing, and consolidating—into a single robotic system. This consolidation replaces multiple assembly lines with one robot, improving efficiency and saving space while supporting frontline workers. Blue Jay can handle about 75% of the item types stored at Amazon fulfillment centers. Notably, its development was accelerated to just over a year, compared to three or more years for previous robots, thanks to advanced simulation techniques using digital twins and leveraging AI, data, and experience from Amazon’s existing robot fleet. Blue Jay is currently being tested in South Carolina and aims to reduce the physical demands on employees by shifting them toward higher-value tasks like quality control and problem-solving. In addition to Blue Jay, Amazon is deploying Project Eluna, an agentic AI system designed to optimize warehouse operations by analyzing real-time and historical data across facilities. Project Eluna provides natural language insights to help operations teams anticipate bottlenecks, improve sortation,
roboticsAIwarehouse-automationAmazon-RoboticsBlue-Jay-robotdigital-twinsfulfillment-center-technologyRewiring infrastructure: the automation revolution in utility design
The article discusses how Spatial Business Systems (SBS), led by President Al Eliasen, is revolutionizing utility infrastructure design through automation and AI. Eliasen, who transitioned from semiconductor equipment to utility software, emphasizes the complexity and critical importance of modern utilities, especially amid the energy transition. With utilities facing massive infrastructure expansion—such as a Texas utility planning to double its $30 billion asset base in the next five to seven years—traditional manual design methods are no longer viable. SBS’s platform automates engineering calculations, synchronizes data with enterprise asset management (EAM) and GIS systems, and eliminates redundant manual work, resulting in faster, more accurate, and scalable design processes. Eliasen addresses concerns about automation threatening jobs, clarifying that SBS’s tools instead help utilities reduce backlogs, meet regulatory deadlines, and avoid costly fines, ultimately freeing up resources rather than cutting staff. A major challenge remains overcoming industry inertia and skepticism from veteran engineers who doubt automation’s applicability; however, demonstrations of SBS
energyautomationutility-infrastructuredigital-twinsCADasset-managementAIAI, Drones, & Digital Twins Help Renewable Energy Persist In US
The article discusses how technological advancements in AI, drones, and digital twins are playing a crucial role in advancing renewable energy in the US despite political uncertainties. A recent study by Systemiq and the London School of Economics highlights that AI can significantly enhance renewable energy systems by improving grid management and increasing the efficiency of solar and wind power by up to 20%. AI also aids in better financial decision-making, especially in emerging markets, by predicting investment risks more accurately. Additionally, high-performance computing systems like the Department of Energy’s Kestrel are accelerating renewable energy research and efficiency improvements. Drones are another key technology transforming renewable energy by enabling efficient inspection, maintenance, and monitoring of solar, wind, and hydro infrastructure. Market research by DataM Intelligence forecasts strong growth in the renewable drone market through 2031, driven by increasing renewable installations and advancements in drone technology that improve data accuracy and operational safety. Regulatory progress by the FAA to expand commercial drone use beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) is expected
renewable-energyAIdronesdigital-twinsenergy-efficiencysmart-gridclimate-technologyUS lab taps Amazon cloud to build AI-powered nuclear reactors
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a leading U.S. Department of Energy nuclear research facility, has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to leverage advanced cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) for the development of autonomous nuclear reactors. This collaboration aims to create digital twins—virtual replicas—of small modular reactors (SMRs) ranging from 20 to 300 megawatts. Using AWS tools such as Bedrock, SageMaker, and custom AI chips (Inferentia, Trainium), INL plans to enhance modeling, simulation, and ultimately enable safe, self-operating nuclear plants. The initiative is designed to reduce costs, shorten development timelines, and modernize the nuclear energy sector, which has historically faced regulatory delays and high expenses. This partnership is part of a broader U.S. government strategy to integrate AI into nuclear energy infrastructure, supporting faster, safer, and smarter reactor design and operation. It follows a similar deal between Westinghouse and Google Cloud, signaling AI’s growing
energyartificial-intelligencenuclear-reactorsdigital-twinscloud-computingautonomous-systemssmall-modular-reactorsUK’s sixth-gen stealth fighter emerges as next-gen war machine
The UK’s Combat Air Flying Demonstrator marks the nation’s first piloted supersonic fighter aircraft developed in 40 years, spearheaded by the Ministry of Defence in partnership with BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and MBDA UK. Currently, two-thirds of the aircraft’s structural weight—including its main body, wings, and tail fins—is in production at BAE Systems’ Lancashire facilities, utilizing advanced manufacturing techniques such as robotic assembly, 3D printing, and digital twins. This demonstrator aims to test and mature technologies critical for a future sixth-generation stealth fighter jet under the Global Combat Air Programme, emphasizing stealth capabilities, advanced design approaches, and streamlined production processes. Extensive simulator flights totaling over 300 hours have allowed engineers and test pilots from BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and the RAF to evaluate flight control systems and gather performance data ahead of the aircraft’s maiden flight. Collaborative efforts have also included high-speed ejection seat trials with Martin Baker and aerodynamic engine testing
roboticsdigital-manufacturingadvanced-materialsaerospace-engineeringstealth-technology3D-printingdigital-twinsPhotoneo launches MotionCam-3D Color (Blue) to improve robot perception - The Robot Report
robotIoTmachine-visionautomation3D-scanningdigital-twinssensor-technologyNew haptic tools let humans feel and guide machines in real time
robothaptic-technologyindustrial-automationremote-controldigital-twinsaugmented-realitysafety-in-manufacturing