Royal Canadian Navy expands its trial of Kognitiv Spark’s Mixed Reality remote assist support system

In Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality News

September 25, 2020 – Kognitiv Spark, a provider of industrial augmented reality solutions, has recently announced that the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has expanded its trial of the company’s RemoteSpark Mixed Reality Remote Assistant Support (MiRRAS) system.

According to Kognitiv Spark, during this trial phase the RCN is aiming to evaluate RemoteSpark’s potential to improve maintenance and repairs aboard RCN vessels and systems at-sea and in-port. The trial will also help to further validate the use of mixed reality remote support, which leverages the hybrid-cloud, on-premise computing functionality of the platform.

RemoteSpark MiRRAS is a mixed reality communication tool built for use on the Microsoft HoloLens device. It allows remotely located operators to establish a low-bandwidth, secure audio and video call to operation centers, subject matter experts and decision-makers located anywhere in the world. Expert users can see what a remote user sees. Through the remote support platform, subject matter experts can send task-relevant digital assets (PDFs, Microsoft Office files, images, multi-step animated 3D models and IoT connected digital twins) to remote users to facilitate complex troubleshooting and task guidance.

It is these capabilities of RemoteSpark that will enable the RCN to digitally deliver expert support to deployed technicians, reducing travel and time required to carry out critical maintenance.

The RCN began using the system on a pilot scale in the spring of 2019. The initial demonstration was designed to validate the system’s ability to enable RCN Marine Technicians and Weapons Engineering Technicians to maintain a high level of operational readiness aboard active RCN vessels through the functionalities of the solution.

“This project will lay the foundation for a longer-term digital vision that sees the RemoteSpark capability deployed across the RCN, enterprise-wide,” said Duncan McSporran, COO and Co-Founder of Kognitiv Spark. “After the RCN diligently validated the solution for a year, this partnership expansion represents not only a big step towards a digitally-connected Navy but one of the first scaled deployments of a mixed reality remote support system in a defence organization. The RCN is leading the way globally.”

Kognitiv Spark added that the project will also help to enable a number of complementary RCN projects focused on enhanced spatial computing capabilities and technical content with an aim to deliver critical support, remotely, to frontline operators whether they’re in Canada or deployed globally, ensuring maximum operational readiness for RCN systems and sailors.

In a series of statements made earlier this year on digital transformation, Vice Admiral Art MacDonald, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy stated: “We have entered a new era where naval activities are more dependent on actions taken in the digital domain than ever before.” The Commander added, “Increasingly, those organizations that find innovative ways to digitally empower their people will be the ones who secure for themselves future mission success. Your Royal Canadian Navy will be among this cohort.”

Kognitiv Spark stated that the adoption of its system will enable the RCN to maintain the delivery of critical services effectively, efficiently and safely.

“Kognitiv Spark uses Microsoft Azure and HoloLens to deliver a secure and scalable Mixed Reality (MR) solution that includes the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). The solution enabled the Royal Canadian Navy to improve efficiencies with ship operations including repairs, maintenance and knowledge transfer. Great example of a company that delivers innovative and creative solutions to enable organizations to take the next step in their digital workforce transformation,” said Lisa Carroll, Canadian Public Sector Lead, at Microsoft Canada.

For more information on Kognitiv Spark and its solutions for augmented and mixed reality, please visit the company’s website.

Image credit: Vice Admiral Art MacDonald / Twitter