The test was carried out in and around Orlando, FL, and demonstrated that once connected via the Athena-Tek 5G solution, NICO could rapidly be deployed at a location using only a mobile 5G station providing Augmented Reality (AR) technology at the Point of Need (PoN). The equipment footprint needed for deployment is easily carried by one person. This means that instructors can now deploy NICO in training environments of their choosing and have service members operate and benefit from NICO in their training within minutes.

Why this matters:

• Enhanced Connectivity: With 5G, NICO ensures reliable, secure, high-speed connections beyond the limitations of traditional Wi-Fi networks.
• Operational Efficiency: NICO requires minimal power and has a compact deployment footprint. AR capabilities can now be integrated into live training environments at the PoN.
• Wider Accessibility: Instructors can deploy NICO in remote or demanding locations, enabling training without logistical constraints.

This is not just a step forward in technology — it's a giant leap to augment role players in any location with a minimal footprint. Whether in the field or on the move, NICO is your go-to solution for reliable, efficient, and accessible role-player augmentation.

“NICO is MAK's UNREAL game-based avatar using advanced AI technologies to provide a digital counterpart experience that provides realistic and dynamic training based on ingested information from multiple sources. NICO also connects to simulated environments and reacts to events in the simulation. MAK is excited to work with Athena-Tek to provide the technology over 5G,” says Alicia Combs, Vice President of MAK Technologies Simulation Solutions Division.

“Athena-Tek is encouraged by MAK's interest in our Training, Test, and Evaluation Edge Device (TED) technology. We look forward to the continued development of enhanced training capabilities that combine TED's advanced sensors with MAK's innovative solutions,” says Janio Sanchez, President of Athena-Tek.