Tucson Tech Expo Showcases New and Expanding Firms' Innovations
Tucson is attracting firms in such industries as mining and commercial space operations thanks in part to the abundance of engineering talent at the University of Arizona.
From a mobile center parked at the Tucson Convention Center, University of Arizona engineering student Owen Pierce drives a Caterpillar D11T dozer located at the company’s Tinaja Hills Training Center 35 miles away. (Photo: Kelly Presnell/AZ Daily Star)
Heavy-equipment giant Caterpillar Inc. sees a brighter future for the mining industry, and the company’s new operation in Tucson will help meet growing demand for autonomous trucks and other technologies.
Caterpillar has tapped local resources to help drive its technology forward, including the University of Arizona.
The UA College of Engineering set up an online mining certificate course for Caterpillar employees and dealers, and the first cohort of 12 graduated from the program in August 2017.