Highlights from CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 was packed with equipment and technology designed to take on today's construction industry challenges. The 2026 show attracted more than 140,000 attendees from 128 countries, bringing together contractors, manufacturers, technology leaders, and workforce advocates across more than 3 million square feet of exhibit space with over 2,000 exhibitors. We'll continue to explore what we saw at CONEXPO-CON/AGG over the coming months. For now, let's look at a few key themes and highlights from the show.

Connectivity remains king

On today's construction job site, if your machine isn't connected, you're leaving valuable data on the table — data that could be used to generate insights that make you money. Nearly every OEM and technology provider has a hand in the connectivity pie. These solutions cover areas of fleet management, project insight, and job site planning, in addition to generating data insights that can be used to develop more advanced technology for the construction industry.

Komatsu revealed the latest additions to its Smart Construction platform. There are now more ways to access and share job site information within Smart Construction, and Komatsu has introduced new hardware to accelerate data capture.

Caterpillar announced GeoTab integration with VisionLink. This update brings on-highway assets into the VisionLink dashboard for the first time, now providing full-fleet management in one place.

Real-time insight from equipment in paving operations is designed to reduce rework and produce the highest-quality finished surfaces. Hamm presented its Smart Compact Pro with real-time density scan, and Trimble introduced ground penetrating radar integration for real-time asphalt compaction quality control.

The machines talk back

What if you could ask your machine a question — and it could talk back? That's now a reality with forthcoming technology from several OEMs. Bobcat, Caterpillar, and Hitachi all demonstrated AI assistants at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, with some differences in use case and implementation.

Bobcat's in-cab assistant for compact equipment, Jobsite Companion, is a streamlined system that gives operators the option to activate and deactivate machine functions via voice command. It can answer questions about the machine's status and provide real-time job cost and performance insights. All computing functions are done on board, facilitating lightning fast response to instructions and queries.

Cat's AI Assistant is a conversational tool that can currently be used within Cat web and app experiences, including VisionLink. It's designed to provide clear responses to questions covering service needs, fleet utilization, parts and products, dealer information and scheduling, and more. Cat is working on incorporating the assistant into future machine cabs, where it will offer voice-activated coaching, troubleshooting help, service scheduling, and more.

Hitachi's assistant, Assist Pro, lives on the user's mobile device, making it flexible for operators, technicians, and project managers inside or outside the cab. This prototype assistant is ready to provide quick retrieval of requested information — drawing from Hitachi's repository of technical manuals, video tutorials, images, and promotional materials. Hitachi notes that this system will gauge the complexity of the user's query and adapt its response to their experience level.

There's a real need behind these flashy new features — operators who are less experienced need quick, real-time information to understand their equipment. With these new tools, OEMs are making that information available in a faster, more accessible format that will keep the operator working instead of flipping through a manual.

Autonomy can address a variety of job site needs

Autonomy now comes in many forms in construction, from operator assistance features to fully autonomous equipment with no operator needed in the cab for select applications.

Contractors took notice and appreciated the pitch, awarding Gravis Robotics' Gravis Rack the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Contractors' Choice award for best technology. Gravis Rack can be retrofitted onto existing earthmoving equipment, turning the machine into intelligent, robotic equipment that combines sensors, on-board computing, and intuitive operator controls. This additive solution supports operators with automated workflows, allowing them to gradually incorporate advanced capabilities into their job sites. It serves as an assistant, rather than a replacement for the operator.

Bluelight Machines offers retrofittable automation technology for rollers and articulated dump trucks. The roller system is compatible with select Cat and Dynapac machines and is best suited to smooth or padfoot vibratory rollers that follow behind a dozer or motor grader. Safety features include emergency stop, obstacle detection, and operator override capabilities, and Bluelight Machines showed a Dynapac roller's ability to recognize people and objects during live demonstrations at the Festival Grounds.

New equipment solutions reduce emissions — but aren't necessarily electric

While electrification was a quieter topic this CONEXPO, talk of reducing emissions via hybrid, fully electric, or optimized diesel powertrains was present throughout the show. For example, Caterpillar extended its XE powertrain to a larger-size dozer with the debut of the D8 XE. The electric drive on the D8 XE reduces the machine's diesel fuel consumption while pushing more material for every gallon of fuel burned.

Representing a leap forward in full battery-electric powertrains, LiuGong displayed its mid-size wheel loader and excavator solutions — proven machines that are already at work on job sites. Meanwhile, Volvo invited attendees to get in the cab of its mid-size electric excavator to experience both the quiet environment and the machine control capability.

Liebherr introduced a fully electric material handler to North America, offering quiet, emissions-free operation for waste handling, scrap, timber, and port applications.

The vocational truck segment is no longer dormant

There hasn't been much news from the vocational truck segment in recent years, but multiple OEMs introduced new trucks at CONEXPO-CON/AGG. Mack Trucks not only announced a big update for its Granite model, it introduced an all-new vocational truck platform to the industry: The Mack Keystone will be targeted to users who need strong mixed-performance capability both off-road and on-highway. Sister brand Volvo Trucks teased its own vocational update, coming this summer. Kenworth also revealed its new vocational solution for extreme-duty applications, the C580, which replaces the C500.

Job site safety and mental health remain top industry priorities

The equipment and technology is exciting, but at the end of the day, the health and safety of the men and women who go to work on our construction sites must be prioritized. In recognition of the real risks that construction workers face, both on and off the job site, the AEM partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to promote mental health education and Guinness World Records to attempt to break the world record for most people wearing high-visibility vests.

Through its partnership with AFSP, the AEM raised awareness and funds to support suicide prevention and mental health awareness initiatives. Educational programming, on-site engagement, and a wellness space were available to visitors throughout the week, and on the inaugural Ground Breakers Stage, Christine Yu Moutier with AFSP spoke about mental health in construction and the importance of creating supportive workplaces to reduce stigma and provide access to life-saving resources.

While the opening day turnout was strong, the attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most people wearing high-visibility vests fell just short in the allotted time allowed for official verification. However, that enthusiastic, highly visible participation demonstrated a commitment to the continued promotion of safety in an industry that still experiences too many deaths and injuries on the job.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG will return in 2029

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 was packed with equipment and technology introductions that we will continue to explore over the coming months. The sign of a successful show is the variety in the conversation — equipment and technology solutions are not one-size-fits-all, and we appreciated the diversity in construction innovations presented this year.

"CONEXPO-CON/AGG is where the construction industry comes to see what's next. This week demonstrated the resilience and ingenuity of our industry. From advanced machinery to digital tools that help crews work safer and smarter, the innovations unveiled here will shape job sites for years to come," said Dana Wuesthoff, show director.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG will return March 13–17, 2029. 

This article originally appeared in the April 2026 issue of Heavy Equipment Guide.