Kognitiv Spark, a specialist technology firm, has successfully deployed a military-grade, cyber-secure augmented reality (AR) solution for UK defence operations. The project, funded by the Defence and Security Accelerator (UKDI-DASA), enables technicians in the field to receive real-time, expert guidance from specialists located anywhere in the world.
The technology, known as RemoteSpark, allows military personnel to wear an AR headset that transmits their view to a remote expert. The expert can then provide step-by-step instructions, share technical documents, and annotate the user’s field of vision to guide complex repairs and maintenance. This capability significantly reduces equipment downtime, travel costs, and logistical burdens.
A key achievement of the project was deploying the solution on a secure sovereign defence cloud infrastructure, meeting the stringent security requirements of the Ministry of Defence. This was accomplished through a partnership with Prolinx, a specialist in secure cloud solutions.
“If this is going to be adopted as a core capability in defence, it needs to adhere to MOD’s security requirements,” said Adam Clay, Managing Director at Kognitiv Spark. “Thanks to UKDI-DASA and the DTEP project, we’ve had greater exposure within MOD… and deployment within an environment that MOD can use.”
The UKDI-DASA funding has also been instrumental in fostering major partnerships with defence organisations, including Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV), Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), and MSI Defence Systems. The success of the initial deployment has spurred follow-on Army Innovation projects to explore AR as a core military capability, further embedding the technology within UK defence.
Image: RemoteSpark enables remote expert support for military operations
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