Caterpillar used CES 2026 to spotlight an Industrial AI strategy that goes beyond buzzwords and into real jobsite impact. The company introduced the Cat AI Assistant, a conversational interface designed to unify Cat’s digital tools and machine data through its Helios platform, with an off-board launch planned for Q1 2026 and in-cab applications nearing final validation. Caterpillar also announced an expanded collaboration with NVIDIA, previewed five autonomous construction machines, and committed $25 million over five years to help develop the workforce needed to operate and maintain an increasingly AI-driven industrial future.

Oshkosh Corporation is using CES 2026 to showcase what “tough work” looks like in the next decade: connected, electrified, and increasingly autonomous. From award-winning robotic construction lift technology and AI-powered recycling contamination detection to an electric airport rescue firefighting vehicle and modular autonomous airport robots, Oshkosh is positioning its platforms as intelligent systems designed to improve safety, productivity, and performance across job sites, neighborhoods, and airports.

CES 2026 spotlight: Bobcat is bringing AI into the cab.

Doosan Bobcat introduced Jobsite Companion (on-machine AI), Service.AI for faster repairs, collision avoidance tech, and next-gen displays.

Big takeaway for tech comm: machines are becoming the manual, the trainer, and the support desk.

Most manufacturers aren’t struggling because they lack software. They’re struggling because they have too much of it: disconnected systems, decades of legacy tools, and workflows still dependent on paper. In this TechCom.News interview, North Built founders Christopher (Chris) Morbitzer and Aaron Huisinga explain why modernization shouldn’t start with ripping everything out, and why AI initiatives fail when companies try to “boil the ocean” instead of solving real problems first.

Workforce shortages, safety standards, and emerging technologies are reshaping the equipment manufacturing landscape. John Somers, Vice President of the Construction and Utility Sector at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), shares why technicians remain one of the industry’s most critical gaps and why local education and hands-on exposure matter more than national campaigns. He also discusses how safety systems are increasingly integrated at the design stage and what that means for training, startups, and established OEMs alike.

The automotive world is changing faster than the systems meant to train and support the people who keep vehicles on the road. Electric platforms, advanced diagnostics and software driven repairs demand a new kind of technician, yet most training and certification models are still built for a past generation.

In a recent interview, David Macholz from the Advanced Vehicle Technology Group and AVTECC explained why the career pipeline is breaking. Students earn certificates without proving hands on ability. Employers expect skills that were never validated. New technicians face low pay, heavy tool costs and little structured development. The result is not a shortage of talent but a career crisis that pushes people out of the field.

The techcomm.news team will be on site at the AEM Annual Conference connecting with industry leaders and capturing insights from the people shaping the future of technical communication. If you’re attending, keep an eye out for us. We’ll be interviewing professionals across documentation, training, safety, and product support. Stop by and share what you’re working on so we can feature the stories driving our industry forward.

At AAPEX 2025 in Las Vegas, Ken Cook Co.’s Adam Retzlaff joined industry leaders to discuss Volvo’s VITA platform and its growing role in modern technical communication. His session explored how VITA connects service data, training, and documentation into one cohesive experience for technicians. The conversation highlighted Ken Cook Co.’s ongoing collaboration with Volvo to strengthen digital delivery, compliance, and user education across the global automotive aftermarket.

If you love technology, experimentation, and the art of explaining complex ideas clearly, Tech Ingredients is a YouTube channel you need to see. From building advanced cooling systems to making graphene at home, it blends science, engineering, and creativity in a way that’s both educational and thrilling. It’s not just a maker channel — it’s a masterclass in technical storytelling.

HUDDIG, the Swedish construction equipment manufacturer with over six decades of innovation, is redefining versatility in the heavy equipment market. Now expanding into North America, HUDDIG introduces the 1370 Cable Machine—a “tool belt machine” capable of functioning as a wheel loader, excavator, and man lift all in one. With a Cummins QSB 6.7 engine, Parker hydraulics, and Bosch pumps, the machine can power nearly any hydraulic attachment, from snow blowers to cranes.

Fully road-legal and even operable by remote control, the HUDDIG 1370 brings precision, adaptability, and safety together in a way that challenges the one-task-per-machine mindset of U.S. construction. “If we can lift it, we can operate it,” says Paul Barlow, president of HUDDIG Inc. “This isn’t just another piece of equipment—it’s a whole new concept in efficiency.”

By bringing a tattoo artist to the show floor, STIHL transformed this unsolicited fan devotion into an official, high-demand activation. The program was an instant success, with all tattoo slots booked for the event's three days before the doors even opened.

For those who missed a permanent spot, the company established a text-based waitlist and offered branded temporary tattoos, ensuring broad participation. Industry observers have praised the effort as a revolutionary way to reward customer loyalty, turning a trade show booth into an unforgettable brand experience.

This article, Interactive Manuals, Rethought: How Modern Docs Double as Product and Platform, argues that digital instruction manuals have evolved from simple paper replacements into sophisticated, connected digital products that serve as the primary gateway for users to safely operate and maintain equipment.

The core message is that documentation is now a competitive advantage, offering "the front door to safer use, faster support, smarter marketing, and continuous improvement." The article details how digital manuals deliver just-in-time help, rich media (videos, 3D callouts), powerful search, and analytics. It emphasizes the function of the manual as a connected hub that integrates support (chat, ticketing), curates community signal, ensures safety and brand control, and reduces costly technician dispatches ("fewer truck rolls").

The future of manuals, according to the piece, is being accelerated by:

1. Extended Reality (XR): Using AR overlays and location cues (like QR codes) to present instructions in context on the actual device.

2. AI, Used Carefully: Embedding assistants tuned to the product content to provide fast, non-hallucinating answers and better telemetry.

The article concludes with a practical implementation playbook for moving from static PDFs to interactive systems, stressing the importance of a mobile-first approach, structured content, and measuring business-critical KPIs like ticket deflection and time to first successful step completion.r

TechComm.News is heading back to Louisville for Equip Exposition 2025! We’ll be on site at the Kentucky Exposition Center covering the latest in training, safety, and technical communication across the outdoor power and equipment industries. Expect exclusive interviews, industry insights, and real stories from the people shaping how technical information connects with the real world.

At this year’s Utility Expo, I sat down with two of the most genuine and passionate voices at Merlo America — Bailey and Brig — and walked away with something rare: a story that perfectly captures how innovation and culture work hand in hand.

Bailey gave me a deep dive into Merlo’s smart technology — explaining how their attachments and machines communicate through the Adaptive Stability Control System (ASCS). This system automatically recognizes each attachment, adjusts load charts, and delivers real-time feedback for safer, more efficient operation. As Bailey put it, “You don’t have to be a seasoned operator anymore — the machine does a lot of the thinking for you.”

Then there’s Brig — whose energy, leadership, and storytelling show the heartbeat behind the brand. She told me about Merl, the office skeleton who started as a prank and turned into a full-blown team mascot. Now, Merl and his skeleton “coworkers” — Evelyn, Frank, and Roffus — are part of Merlo’s culture, even making appearances at trade shows.

As Brig said, “We take our work seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”

That line says everything about Merlo America. It’s a company that combines engineering precision with human personality — where advanced safety systems meet laughter, teamwork, and creativity. Whether they’re developing smarter machines or showing up at ConExpo with interactive experiences and new ideas, Merlo’s people make it clear that innovation isn’t just built — it’s lived.

The Utility Expo floor was buzzing as LBX Company introduced its newest mid-size excavator, the 145 X4S. Designed with operators in mind, this machine blends advanced technology, refined design, and real-world functionality.

According to Tyler Garrity of Link-Belt Excavators, the 145 X4S features smart innovations such as a payload system, height and depth alarm, and digital level—capabilities once reserved for larger machines. These upgrades improve precision, enhance safety, and bring smart technology to more of the Link-Belt lineup.

Inside the cab, operators are met with a 10-inch touchscreen display, improved visibility, and a more comfortable layout. The new custom flow balance system lets users prioritize functions like arm, boom, and swing with just a few taps, offering a more tailored and intuitive operating experience.

In a recent TechComm.News interview, Kristie Stern, President and Managing Partner of Green Mountain Lion Corporation, shared how her passion for machinery and people has shaped her company’s people-first recruiting model.

“What sets Green Mountain Lion apart is that we are solidly in the industry,” Stern said. “I grew up around machinery—my father was a gas and diesel mechanic, and I rebuilt a Caterpillar diesel engine when I was in middle school. I’ve had a passion for this industry and its people my entire life.”

Stern and her team focus on aligning “the why” of candidates and employers to create long-term, meaningful matches. “We know our people,” she added. “We understand their why—and our goal is to match that with a company’s why so both sides thrive.”

At Green Mountain Lion Corporation, recruiting isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about building futures.

At Utility Expo 2025, CM Labs unveiled its next generation of simulation-based training tools, headlined by the new Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) simulator powered by the company’s proprietary Vortex Studio physics engine. The system combines realism and analytics to elevate operator readiness, supported by new instructor tools like Drone View and Intellia Instructor. Alongside the flagship Advantage simulator, CM Labs also showcased its affordable Edge Plus desktop trainer and the new Walkaround Inspection module—an interactive, LMS-compatible safety tool designed for global deployment.

At the 2025 Utility Expo, Bobcat Company demonstrated how clear technical communication and smart design go hand in hand. Their showcase of the R68P Rammer and TR75 Trench Roller highlighted not only innovative engineering but also the importance of accessible, user-focused messaging. By balancing precise specifications with conversational delivery, Bobcat turned product details into a story of reliability, efficiency, and field-ready performance — a model example of how technical storytelling drives engagement in industrial markets.

Bobcat’s MT120 and Light Compaction Line Shine Through the Rain at Utility Expo 2025

Even under gray skies at Utility Expo 2025, Bobcat Company brought the energy with its debut of the MT120 mini track loader and two new light compaction products—the R68P Rammer and TR75 Trench Roller.

The MT120, introduced by Nick Pagano, pushes performance boundaries with a 1,200 lb rated operating capacity, 25% more torque, and a pilot drive control system that reduces operator fatigue. Despite the rain-soaked conditions, the product’s power and control shined through.

Meanwhile, Ola from Bobcat highlighted the R68P Rammer’s Honda engine, dual air filtration, and easy-maintenance design, alongside the TR75 Trench Roller’s diesel engine, dual amplitude settings, and oscillating articulated joint for consistent ground contact.

When weather conditions forced changes to the shoot, Ken Cook Co. stepped in to produce supplemental footage—seamlessly blending field action with studio clarity. The result: a clean, cohesive look at Bobcat’s expanding compact equipment lineup and its continued focus on operator-driven innovation.

Day one was completely rained out — and for good reason. Here’s a look at us trying to get interviews in the storm using “Rain Vision.”