CIO Bulletin

Kognitiv Spark – Leveraging augmented reality to provide industrial-grade repair and maintenance tools

Virtual reality has been an emerging trend in many industries over the past few years, but it quickly feels outdated compared to augmented reality's uses and benefits. While virtual reality can only replace the real world through a simulated environment, augmented reality creates and enhances the real world's replicas for a better view of the project as a whole. Augmented reality takes the guesswork out of the project, which enables more accurate timelines and estimated costs. Augmented reality is a huge technological advancement for the construction industry because it allows for a more streamlined approach in every project aspect. With AR, architects and designers can save time and money while giving better design insights and accelerate the construction process.

Kognitiv Spark is a global leader for industrial task support software. Partnered with leading hardware providers, the firm uses augmented and mixed reality to deliver holographic industrial worker support with interactive 3D content, artificial intelligence, and live IoT data. The firm aims to empower workers to achieve more operational productivity, primarily in industrial manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and energy and utilities. The company's communications platform, RemoteSpark, brings expert support to frontline workers, without travel and equipment downtime. Kognitiv Spark has worked closely with global partners to guide industrial augmented reality solution development, emphasizing user-centered development. Led by an executive team with deep expertise in cybersecurity, oil & gas, industrial engineering, and aerospace & defense, Kognitiv Spark delivers robust and integrated solutions that surpass advanced performance and security requirements.

RemoteSpark: The Augmented Reality tool for remote support

It allows remote workers to establish a low-bandwidth, secure video and audio call with subject matter experts to solve a complex problem. The expert, who can be located anywhere globally, can then see what the remote worker sees and use holographic assets to support the task. RemoteSpark boasts the lowest internet-bandwidth requirements of any augmented reality communications platform on the market. Ideal for remote locations, only 256kbps is required to operate voice & video calls, including 3D holograms and IoT integrations. Reliable calls can be run while connected to a mobile hotspot.

The galvanizing features of RemoteSpark

Robust security infrastructure: It is built to meet and beat the highest security standards; all communications and assets are fully encrypted, end-to-end, in transit, and at rest. To meet a wide range of data governance requirements, on-premise cloud computing options can operate fully air-gapped.

Multi-step animated holograms: Experts can drag and drop 3D holograms into the worker's field of view. These holograms can be animated to show a specific repair or task's multi-step process, improving comprehension. CAD files (saved as glTF) can be converted into 3D holograms to support a worker's task comprehension.

Photo capture, annotations, and supporting assets: To facilitate task comprehension, subject matter experts can take photos of the worker's field of view. These photos can then be annotated on and appear in the remote worker's perspective as holograms. Experts can also annotate live in the worker's field of view. Microsoft Office files and PDFs can be brought into the call, which also appears in the worker's real-world environment.

On-premise or in the cloud: Your data can live in the environment defined by your data governance policies. RemoteSpark is the first augmented reality communication tool to operate its backend in both cloud and on-premise environments.

The valiant leader behind the triumph of Kognitiv Spark

Yan Simard serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Kognitiv Spark. He is a senior IT professional, entrepreneur, and investor, with diverse and successful work experience. He has designed and led many innovative business ventures through his start-ups or for others. Mr. Yan also has extensive professional experience with CGI, Zaptap, Vision Coaching, AIS, Incite Wellness, Bell Canada, Industrial Alliance, NBCC, Gameloft, and Irving Oil. He is a results-driven project management professional with a knack for getting things done. He is a partner-centric leader that is motivated to succeed. Mr. Yan has a proven client relationship and portfolio management skills to complement his international IT and managerial experience. His tact and communication skills get the job done every time. Mr. Yan graduated with an MBA – IT Management from Université Laval.