Caterpillar opened the Black Hills Engineering Design Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The 17,000-sq.-ft. facility serves as a hub, supporting Caterpillar teams worldwide across machines, engines, electrification and autonomy, according to the company. At the facility, teams use extended reality and digital prototypes to collaborate across continents, catch issues earlier and move faster, which Cat says reduces the need for costly builds. About 100 employees work at the facility, blending engineering with animation, design and data visualization, with that number still growing.
Caterpillar says the Rapid City team plays a role in its global business – developing tools and technologies that help teams design faster, make better decisions and deliver solutions to customers more efficiently. The investment also builds on the company’s long-standing partnership with the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, further strengthening its talent and innovation pipeline.