Edge hardware and ecosystem partnerships
The platform’s edge component, the Cognitive Edge Node (CEN), is a rugged network and edge compute platform combining advanced connectivity, AI-driven multi-access networking and accelerated edge computing.
Embedded on-device Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)-accelerated computing increases intelligence in field-deployed vehicles and remote locations, allowing decisions to be made locally rather than waiting on a distant data centre.
Nokia has designed the CEN with an ecosystem of partners in mind, integrating third-party technologies to extend its capabilities.
Key elements of that ecosystem include:
On-premises deployment using local IT infrastructure, for operators who need to keep processing on site
Cloud-hosted deployment through the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, enabling faster rollout
Integration of Rajant’s InstaMesh technology, built on its Kinetic Mesh wireless networking approach
AI-agentic assistance layered across communications and compute functions
A live 3D digital twin providing a continuous, unified operational picture
“This launch is a defining step in Nokia’s promise to deliver connected intelligence. Our Cognitive Operations solution extends AI directly into the field, enabling real-time intelligence where physical operations happen,” says Lelio Di Martino, General Manager of Cognitive Operations for Nokia. “Together with our partners Microsoft Azure and Rajant, we are building a future-ready system for autonomous mission-critical infrastructure, with public safety agencies, defence forces and mining/construction companies leading the way.”
The CEN is also designed with cybersecurity considerations in mind, which is an increasingly important consideration for the mining sector. It implements a defence-in-depth cybersecurity architecture spanning hardware, operating system, networking, applications and operations. This layered approach helps protect the platform, the data it carries and the services it supports across private, public and hybrid wireless environments.