CES 2025: Oshkosh Puts AI, Autonomy and Electrification to Work

Showcased innovations aim to transform today’s neighborhoods, airports and jobsites.

The McNeilus Volterra ZFL refuse collection vehicle with a front loader was unveiled at CES 2025. (Oshkosh)

A multi-brand global company that serves several different industries marked its debut at one of the world’s largest technology exhibitions by highlighting its “purpose-built vehicles and equipment for everyday heroes,” John Pfeifer, president and CEO of Oshkosh Corporation, said in a virtual media briefing in advance of CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

Illustration depicts how Oshkosh Aerotech’s iOPS digital technology helps coordinate fast, safe and efficient aircraft turnaround times at the gate. (Oshkosh)

To support its exhibit theme of “Technology for Everyday Heroes,” Oshkosh put a spotlight on innovations that support the Airport of the Future, Job Site of the Future, and Neighborhood of the Future.

Coming just months after Oshkosh brand McNeilus production-released the Volterra ZSL – North America’s first electric, side loading refuse collection vehicle – the company unveiled the McNeilus Volterra ZFL at CES. “The all-new Volterra ZFL is a front loader truck with all of the same technology as the side loader, but designed for commercial refuse and recycling,” said Jay Iyengar, Oshkosh’s CTO and strategic sourcing officer.

Refuse vehicle innovations

Oshkosh’s refuse and recycling collection exhibit area also featured some under-development, advanced technologies: artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled bin detection, an electrified arm and contamination detection using AI.

In a conventional garbage-collection scenario, a driver stops the refuse vehicle at a collection spot, then uses a joystick to grab the bin via the vehicle’s arm. In contrast, semi-autonomous bin handling unfolds via a suite of advanced sensors paired with AI technology.

“With the push of a button, the arm is deployed to collect the bin with very high precision. This streamlined process helps minimize human error, accelerates cycle times and is expected to reduce driver training time,” Iyengar said.

The electrified arm is designed to enhance bin pickup speed and efficiency. “Additionally, the system operates quietly and helps control maintenance costs compared to traditional hydraulic arms,” Iyengar said.

Reducing hazards in the refuse-collection ecosystem underpins the ongoing work devoted to a contamination detection system. “Because people throw things into the bin that are not supposed to go into the bin, [such as] a can of paint, turpentine or lithium-ion batteries from an old electronic device, that stuff – if it mixes improperly or gets to a certain temperature – can catch on fire,” Pfeifer said, underscoring the danger of hidden hazards.

Contamination detection technology employs an advanced vision system that relies on AI for object classification to identify harmful materials using real-time edge processing onboard the vehicle.

Enhancing airport efficiency

The ClearSky Smart Fleet facilitates a digitally connected jobsite ecosystem, including proactive equipment management and maintenance. (Oshkosh)

Getting the necessary people and equipment to the right place promptly is key to streamlining airport gate operations. According to Pfeifer, highly coordinated gate and ground operations are the centerpiece of Oshkosh AeroTech’s iOPS technology. The technology digitally connects in real-time gate operation activity while monitoring and synchronizing the equipment around a parked aircraft.

A major airline recently piloted the iOPS system at more than 200 gates in North America. “Their data suggests that iOPS can help reduce aircraft turnaround times by nearly two minutes per aircraft. This means planes can unload and load passengers, receive servicing and push back from the gate more efficiently,” Pfeifer explained.

Airport gate activities will also be impacted by autonomous technology. “Drawing on our advanced technology stack, Oshkosh AeroTech has designed a driverless cargo handler that is fully electric and [SAE] Level 5 autonomous,” Pfeifer said. The self-driving vehicle’s capabilities were illustrated via an interactive CES booth demonstration.

Connected jobsites

Transforming the jobsite of the future with autonomous technologies, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) coordination and remote-control operation will improve efficiency and productivity. “Digital connectivity via our ClearSky Smart Fleet demonstration will show how equipment can be used as the hub of a connected jobsite ecosystem to manage people, tools, materials and vehicles,” Pfeifer said.

Many of today’s jobsites reflect a fairly unstructured environment with lots of moving parts. For instance, if a project manager knows where specific materials, equipment and tools are located as well as the condition of each and every jobsite piece, that information can elicit a less chaotic and more productive work area. “That’s why this connectivity on the ClearSky is very, very compelling,” Pfeifer said.

The products on display at CES align with Oshkosh’s mantra of innovation with intent. “We have a clear purpose to serve people who do the toughest work in our communities,” Pfeifer said, noting that novel technologies are applied across various brands for multiple markets, including motorsports, aviation, firefighting, construction and refuse collection.

“It’s not about technology for the sake of technology,” Iyengar stressed. “It’s about how we’re impacting people with technology.”