Monash University has become the first higher education institution to deploy Symetrix Cognio, a distributed AV and control platform designed to support scalable learning environments.
The deployment was delivered in partnership with Symetrix and PAVT Australia & New Zealand, and will support Monash’s active learning spaces across its campus.
Monash required an AV platform that could support flexible teaching, group participation and dynamic classroom interaction, while allowing its AV team to manage different room types without adding operational complexity.
Unlike conventional AV systems that centralise processing and control, Cognio distributes intelligence across the system. This allows individual spaces to be managed and updated independently, without disrupting other rooms or the wider AV infrastructure.
Peter MacLean, audiovisual design manager and lead audiovisual architect at Monash University, said: “Active learning environments require scalability, engagement, and reliability. The technology powering those spaces has to evolve alongside the way students and educators interact.”
The deployment is centred on Symetrix Cognio C20 processors, with Cognio Spaces, Signal Flow and Control Screen workflows. The system was designed to integrate with Monash’s existing AV ecosystem, including Shure ANX4 and ULXD wireless systems, Powersoft Mezzo amplifiers, EAW MKC loudspeakers, Crestron NVX, Lightware, Audinate AVIO and ECHO360 lecture capture.
The project also uses the Cognio API through a Crestron integration, supporting interoperability between audio, video and control systems.
PAVT has worked with Monash for several years on audio performance and deployable AV standards. Ben Clarke, technical support manager at PAVT Australia & New Zealand, said the university’s willingness to explore new approaches made it “an ideal partner for the first Cognio deployment.”
Symetrix said the project marks the first deployment of Cognio and validates its approach to software-defined AV infrastructure based on distributed intelligence rather than traditional processor-centric system design.
Mark Graham, CEO of Symetrix, said: “Leading organisations need systems that scale naturally, adapt continuously, and avoid the limitations created by centralised architectures. Monash's commitment to innovation and active learning made them an ideal partner to demonstrate what's possible with distributed AV.”
Following the initial deployment, Monash plans to expand Cognio into additional teaching and multi-purpose spaces across campus, including sports facilities and worship centres.