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S.D. (KOTA) – Caterpillar has opened a new facility in Rapid City and is expanding high-tech training now being used at the company’s locations around the world
The company opened a 17,000-square-foot facility in Rapid City in late April. The location employs more than 100 engineers, graphic designers, and others working to keep pace with the evolving technology industry
One of the tools being developed at the facility is virtual reality. Caterpillar first began developing VR technology in Rapid City 14 years ago. When trainees put on the <a href="https://comicvibe.com/the-best-vr-headsets-for-2026/” title=”The Best VR Headsets for 2026″>headsets, they see everything they would encounter in the field
The technology allows new hires to train in a safe environment and provides broader access to equipment
“If you could climb up to the top of a 25-foot machine and not fall and hurt yourself, then you’re in a lot safer position, but there’s just more access — so the biggest part is that more people can get there, and that helps us to be able to get them access to a machine we probably wouldn’t be able to get that many people to,” Ken Harding, Caterpillar Facility Manager said
The VR system also supports collaboration within the company, allowing teams to test new products and designs before they are rolled out
“All of those technologies that we use are all aimed at just trying to help us make a better product, meet the customer where they are, and solve their greatest and hardest problems,” Harding said
“I think it keeps us on the leading edge. It helps us make sure we have a product that’s going to solve our customers’ problems and make sure everything is going to work as we assume it’s going to work,” Jessica Reynolds, Caterpillar Engineering Manager said
The VR system developed in Rapid City is now in use at Caterpillar facilities worldwide
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