NIKOS – Festumzug

Visitor guidance for Cologne Carnival

autonomous reliable cost-effective

NIKOS is not a conventional PA system, but a radio-based public address, alarm and control system for large events, construction sites and crisis situations, which you can rent by the day through certified partners and either integrate into your PA or use on its own.

Challenge

Warnings must reach shifting hotspots without fixed cabling

During Cologne Carnival, visitor concentrations continually shift along the parade routes, while floats, walking groups and spectator areas must be coordinated at the same time. Dense crowds, alcohol and high noise levels make it difficult to issue rapid warnings and clear instructions. The mobile public address systems on the floats operate independently of one another, meaning that central announcements cannot reliably reach everyone without technical networking.

Solution

One unified solution for everyday use and emergencies

NIKOS brings together announcements, alerting, visitor guidance and device control in a single network-independent platform. NIKOS [dispatcher]² controls the announcement units as required for individual announcement locations, specific areas or the entire site. NIKOS [audio]² receives the voice transmission wirelessly on site and outputs it as an analogue audio signal through the floats’ mobile public address systems. NIKOS [horn]² supplements the acoustic output at locations without an existing public address system. This enables NIKOS to consolidate announcement and control functions in rapidly deployable, radio-based units, reducing the need for materials and cabling.

FAQ

Information for planners and organisers

Does NIKOS adhere to the applicable standards for announcements?+
Yes. The basis is DIN EN 50849 for electroacoustic emergency warning systems, whose requirements NIKOS fully meets. Developed specifically for safety-relevant announcement and alerting applications, NIKOS is technically designed for everyday use as well as for emergency situations. For ELA systems, DIN EN 50849 forms the relevant framework. Because NIKOS — unlike mobile network-based systems — does not depend on an external network, immediate usability is guaranteed at all times, meaning the standard is fully met. Other safety-related standards such as DIN EN 54, DIN VDE 0833-4 and DIN 14675 (voice alarm systems) concern a different field of use and functional scope and are not relevant for the approval of NIKOS. Since its market launch in 2017, NIKOS has been the leading public address system for temporary and mobile applications, used successfully at some of the largest open-air events in Europe. RADACOM and your regional NIKOS partner will be happy to advise you on the wide range of NIKOS functions and support you in implementing the requirements cost-effectively.
Where does Cologne Carnival benefit from cost savings?+
Depending on the application, NIKOS uses a single communications platform to implement a range of different functions. The rental and installation costs of NIKOS are quickly offset by these savings. You can find some specific examples of potential savings here. NIKOS mainly reduces the effort required for separate loudspeaker, control and communication solutions. Material requirements and cabling work are reduced, and information and emergency announcements can be made from a single location. Staff travel, operating stations and guard posts are reduced because recurring tasks are centrally controlled and monitored or carried out by NIKOS.
Is NIKOS resilient in a crisis during Cologne Carnival?+
Yes. NIKOS operates via its own autonomous radio network and is completely independent of public communications networks and their availability. Because NIKOS does not rely on cabling but communicates via radio, the connection is automatically re-established after an interruption. NIKOS [audio]² has an internal battery with a runtime of up to 16 hours and also powers connected accessory modules. This ensures that visitor guidance at Cologne Carnival remains reliably operational even in the event of a power failure or disruptions to public communications networks.
How can announcements be heard over loud brass-band music?+
When brass-band music is loud, NIKOS [flash]² uses a flashing light to signal the conductor, bandleader or DJ to stop the music immediately. The performance is interrupted in response to the light signal, ensuring that announcements can be clearly understood. This allows important announcements to reach the audience reliably, even when music groups, floats and crowded spectator areas are involved.
Visitor guidance for Cologne Carnival: Where can NIKOS be rented?+
NIKOS is rented by the day through certified partners, including advice, instruction and technical support. Your regional partner coordinates the deployment with you. Find a partner and request a rental

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