After a two-month-long contest among the student body at St. Clair College, the College's Unitree R1 Humanoid finally has a name: Clairion.
The name was announced during a media conference at St. Clair College's Main Windsor Campus, where even Clairion commented on the new name.
Mohammad Alkhateb, a first-year Protection, Security and Investigation student provided the winning name in a student-wide contest. He's by Ali Hadwan, President of the Student Representative Council on Nov. 5, 2026. (Rich Garton/St. Clair College)
"WOW! Now that is a name! CLAIRION. Cognitive Learning Artificial Intelligence Robotic Innovation and Operations Network. Quite a mouthful for someone who doesn't even have lungs!" Clairion said. "I came here with circuits, sensors, and a body built to move. Now I've got an identity!"
The name was submitted by Protection, Security & Investigation student Mohammad Alkhateb - who received a $200 bookstore gift card and St. Clair College swag as a prize for the winning submission.
Data Analytics Professor John Ulakovich, R&I program manager John Lopez, Business Manager Sonja Popovski and Project Research Manager, David Potocek on Nov. 5, 2026. (Rich Garton/St. Clair College)
"I am intelligence in motion, curiosity in action, and innovation with legs! But here's the twist. You think you're here to teach me? What if we end up learning from each other? At St. Clair College, we're not just imagining the future. We're building it, questioning it, and giving it room to move. So, students, bring your wildest ideas, your boldest questions, and maybe a little patience while I master walking. I'm CLAIRION. You've given me a name. Now let's make some history!" Clairion added.
The Unitree R1 Humanoid model was purchased by St. Clair College's Research and Innovation department with a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), through the Applied Research Tools and Instruments grant.
"As our Canadian supplier confirmed, Clairion is the first Unitree R1 humanoid robot delivered in North America, making this an exciting milestone for St. Clair College," said John Lopez, program manager for Research and Innovation.
Clairion has been on several visits to local manufacturing facilities throughout the region, with the goal of understanding how humanoid technology could enhance existing operations, improve efficiencies, and potentially transform certain processes. These visits have provided valuable insight into practical applications and potential use-cases for this emerging technology.
