Melita Limited announced on Monday that it supported a Master of Science in Telecommunications Engineering student in completing his thesis on Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR).

The research, which was done by Max Bonavia, analysed the ways 5G mobile telecommunications could be integrated with Augmented Reality (AR) to help drivers navigate through their surroundings in a better and safer manner.

His thesis focused on exploiting the high throughput and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) provided by 5G to deliver video from the road to the MAR device in real-time, allowing it to be overlaid over the view seen through the vehicle’s windshield.

“The arrival of 5G opens a new frontier for the development of applications that can improve our lives,” Melita Chief Technology Officer Simon Montanaro said.

“Thanks to Melita’s nationwide high-speed connectivity, Malta now has the infrastructure in place to become a leading centre for the development of new ideas,” he continued, before adding that “it’s great to see students like Max already researching ways in which we can harness the potential of 5G”.

He concluded by saying that Melita will continue supporting Malta-based researchers and developers in “exploring new, creative technology solutions”.

Founded in 1992, Melita has now “set the standard” for digital technologies in Malta, with telecommunication services being provided to “more than 75 per cent of Maltese households”.