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LAS VEGAS — The future looks bright for CES 2025, as #Caterpillar gears up to celebrate its centennial with the theme “The Next 100 Years: Experience What’s Possible.” But while tech enthusiasts flock to the exhibit to see cutting-edge machinery, the local wildlife has a much simpler goal in mind: eat the caterpillars.
With a slew of technological marvels on display, including the Extended Range Electrified Machine hybrid retrofit and visions of electrified job sites, Caterpillar is ready to flex its muscles. However, a growing number of bats, birds, and even the occasional spider wasp are more excited about the upcoming buffet of actual caterpillars.
“I just want to eat all the Caterpillars,” said one particularly ambitious bird outside the convention center, adjusting its wings. “I hear they’re big, juicy, and have been living high on the exhibition food chain. What could be better than that?” It’s a sentiment echoed by the vast majority of local wildlife, who view the Centennial celebration as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to indulge in an all-you-can-eat caterpillar spread.
Inside the exhibit, visitors will get a glimpse of the future with machines like the Cat 972 wheel loader, which has been retrofitted with a hybrid power source that could make diesel machines look like yesterday's news. According to Rob Hoenes, Senior Vice President of Caterpillar’s Electrification + Energy Solutions Division, the goal is to lower emissions without requiring job sites to build a whole new electrical infrastructure. “It’s about innovation and sustainability,” he said, clearly unaware that the real innovation happening here is in the form of the wildlife gathering outside.
“I’m really excited about the retrofit and its potential,” said one hard hat follower planning on attending CES, “but have you heard how the wildlife is gathering? I might just skip the hybrid machines and go straight for the easy bird hunting.”
Months before CES 2025 local wildlife has already formed what can only be described as a “feeding frenzy” across the street from the Vegas venue. One particularly enthusiastic bat was spotted circling the convention center, eagerly awaiting the moment when the doors open and a fresh batch of Caterpillar larvae will be made available for consumption.
“We’ve been tracking these guys for months,” said the bat, fluttering excitedly. “CES 2025 is the big one. I’ve been working on my swoop technique for weeks. Once those gates open, I’m going straight for the juiciest one I can find. I might even snag a few for later.”
Despite the excitement, not all insects are in agreement with this sudden focus on the Caterpillars. Local spiders have raised concerns about competition from larger predators, particularly the bats.
“We’re not going to let the bats have all the fun,” said one spider, buzzing ominously near the exhibition hall. “We’re quick, we’re sneaky, and we’ve got the element of surprise on our side. The caterpillars will be ours.”
While the animal kingdom has its own priorities, Caterpillar’s real focus is on the machines of tomorrow. Visitors can experience a virtual job site of the future and even operate a Cat machine remotely via Cat Command from 445 miles away in Green Valley, Arizona.
VisionLink will allow fleet managers to monitor machine performance from a desktop or mobile device, while Centennial Corridor attendees will get a full walkthrough of Caterpillar’s legacy.
“We’re proud of our history and excited about the future, also for the record there will be no insects available at CES for wildlife consumption.” said Rob Janssen, Vice President of Electrification + Energy Solutions, while one particularly bold raven perched on his shoulder, seemingly hoping for a bite of the electrified future.
CES 2025 will run from January 7 to January 10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, but if you’re a fan of Caterpillar’s long history or just want to witness the spectacle of nature’s annual Caterpillar Consumption Festival, be sure to get there early. The animals are hungry, and they’re coming for all the caterpillars.
“Look, we know people are excited about the tech,” said one hawk, “but when it comes down to it, nothing beats the raw satisfaction of eating a caterpillar. Nothing.”
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