Canadian Business Awards 2025 | 11 Since 1995, Charles Khairallah has been making waves throughout the robotics industry, reshaping the landscape with the advent of Modular Robotics Technology, now famously known as ANAT Technology™. Following this innovative introduction, Charles has succeeded in dominating the sector, establishing a name both for himself and for Robotics Design Inc. as masters of the field, renowned for delivering top-tier, transformative technology. The illustrious journey of Robotics Design Inc. began with ANAT Technology™, a groundbreaking invention that originated from Charles’ Master’s degree project in engineering. This was a revolutionary technology, offering solutions that were decades ahead of its time and deeply rooted in modularity and ethical design. His first patent application was submitted in 1997 under classification B25J18/025, and officially published in the UK on May 28th, 1998. This introduced the world to several firsts in robotics, being the first modular robot, the first collaborative robot, and the first modular hyper-redundant robot, capable of up to 32 degrees of freedom. Charles redefined engineering design through his pioneering approach; he was the first to integrate servo motors into every robot joint, coupled with a decentralised control system, a plug-and-play communication system, a modular user interface, and a zero-gravity mechanism that allowed robots to lift objects weighing up to 100kg using only 1A of current. This success was then followed by a PCT applications and numerous subsequent patents as Charles continued to build his repertoire. Over the years, Charles has earned international acclaim for his contributions, including the George Bernard Shaw Unreasonable Person Award at the 2018 Real Innovation Awards, hosted by the London Business School. Today, Robots Design Inc. possesses more than 35 patent applications and stands securely as a global leader in modular robotics innovation. That being said, the journey to success has not always been easy for Robotics Design Inc.; despite its groundbreaking nature, ANAT Technology™ faced significant resistance in the 1990s. At the time, many industries were hesitant to embrace such advanced innovation and Charles found himself competing as a single entrepreneur against multinational industrial robot manufacturers and research centres with multimillion-dollar budgets. Many modular robotics research projects, funded by NASA and conducted at prestigious institutions such as Stanford University, have been developed without proper acknowledgment of Charles Khairallah as the original inventor. Notable examples include PolyBot (1998), the G3 robot (2002) developed at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), and the M-TRAN 6 robot (2005) in Japan, all of which were influenced by Khairallah’s pioneering work in modular robotics. This widespread adoption of Charles’ ideas presented the innovator with significant challenges, as he soon found himself competing against countless companies leveraging his foundational work. This lack of proper recognition and jurisdiction made it extremely difficult to secure a return on investment, further complicating efforts to completely capitalise on his groundbreaking invention. Regardless The world is evolving at a rapid pace that has been primarily steered by the dynamic field of technology, advancing far beyond the realms of consumer imagination. One of the top companies driving this evolution is Robotics Design Inc., an innovative Canadian company dedicated to designing and manufacturing mechatronic solutions using modular robotic technology, resolving complex industrial challenges for manufacturers on a global scale. We speak to Charles Khairallah below, Owner and CEO of the company, following its recent success in the Canadian Business Awards 2025. Best Modular Robotic Technology Company 2025 of this poor acknowledgement, ANAT Technology remains a cornerstone of modern modular robots that influences industrial, commercial, and hobbyist applications, allowing Robotics Design Inc. and Charles to stand as a beacon of inspiration and innovation throughout the industry. In 2010, Charles took his modularity-driven vision to new heights with the Skylys Ambition Project, a futuristic concept for a modular flying car. Designed to be 100% electric and 100% drone, the Skylys introduces a groundbreaking approach to sustainable urban mobility, combining efficiency, scalability, and futuristic design. Whilst the project remains ahead of its time, it has laid the foundation for modern transportation systems and now awaits visionary investors prepared to breathe life into this revolutionary idea. Furthermore, with the BIXI© the world’s firstmodular public bikesharing system BIXI ranked 19th Best Invention by TIME Magazine in 2008, Charles created pioneering technology that has made its mark on the rest of the world. As for the more imminent future, the journey of innovation continues for Robotics Design Inc., lead by Charles’ unmatched vision, determination, and ingenuity. The company is actively developing cutting-edge modular projects and advanced AI-powered tools, set to redefine the possibilities of robotics and modularity. From robotics to urban mobility and beyond, Charles’ relentless pursuit of innovation has successfully revolutionised multiple industries, establishing Robotics Design Inc.’s legacy as a trailblazer in modular innovation and effectively proving that one single transformative idea is all it takes to reshape the future of technology and inspire countless generations to come. Contact: Charles Khairallah Company: Robotics Design Inc. Web Address: https://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/ first commercialized modular hyper-redundant cobot was introduced in 2000
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