Kognitiv Spark on Thursday said it was named a finalist in the 2019 Microsoft Mixed Reality Partner of the Year Award.

The Fredericton company, which uses augmented reality and mixed reality to assist remote workers using complicated equipment, was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners. Microsoft presents the award for excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology. It named four finalists including Kognitiv Spark, and selected one winner.

Kognitiv Spark delivers industrial worker support software designed for the Microsoft HoloLens, leveraging AR and MR. The company recently announced a partnership with the Royal Canadian Navy to test drive a Mixed Reality Remote Assistant Support system as part of a project that aims to improve maintenance and repairs aboard active naval vessels.

“We’re so proud to be recognized as a finalist for this award because it validates our signature approach of never stopping at good enough,” said Kognitiv Spark CEO Yan Simard in a statement. “It reinforces our position as a world-class mixed reality worker support platform and is a testament to our dedication to empowering workers with the autonomy and confidence to perform their best.”

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Established in 2016, Kognitiv Spark offers an AR and MR solution to help the military and industries with training and the instructing of remote workers using complex equipment. Workers in remote locations frequently need to repair complex machinery, or need training with machines. RemoteSpark, the company’s flagship technology, allows a specialist at a main office to work with remote workers and walk them through what’s needed to get a piece of equipment working.

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered exceptional Microsoft-based solutions during the past year.

The Mixed Reality Partner of the Year Award recognizes a partner that has designed, developed, and deployed a solution that helps customers accelerate their digital transformation using MR technology and Azure services.

Awards were presented in several categories, with winners chosen from more than 2,900 entrants from 115 countries. Kognitiv Spark was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in MR.

In 2018, Kognitiv Spark won a Microsoft IMPACT award for Innovation with Hardware. It was also awarded a NATO Defence Innovation Challenge award for Mobile Apps for Defence Users and the Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association Industry Excellence Award.

“It’s an honor to recognize finalists and winners of the Microsoft 2019 Partner of the Year Awards,” said Gavriella Schuster, Corporate Vice President, One Commercial Partner, Microsoft Corp. “These companies are successfully leading their industries, building intelligent solutions, addressing complex business challenges and making more possible for customers around the world. I’m honored to congratulate each winner and finalist.”