The Faculty of Engineering (FOE) at the University of Balamand (UOB) proudly announces the successful completion and national patenting of ENVIBOT, an advanced multi-functional ground-based robot designed for advanced environmental monitoring and sampling.

Following its first place win at LIRA 17 (2024), ENVIBOT was officially granted Patent No. 13295 by the Lebanese Intellectual Property Institute, under the authority of the Ministry of Economy and Trade on April 28, 2025. The patent provides legal protection for a duration of 20 years, marking a major milestone for both the project and the university.

Completely developed within FOE, ENVIBOT is now fully operational and stands as a pioneering innovation in environmental technology. ENVIBOT is the first robot of its kind in this field worldwide, capable of remote operation from anywhere in the world using virtual reality systems to enhance user interaction.

Led by Dr. Jean Claude Assaf (Lead – Chemical Engineering) and Mrs. Mantoura Nakad (Co-Lead – Sustainability), and developed in collaboration with Chemical Engineering student Hoda Rizk and Computer Engineering student Saad El Hallal, the robot is capable of monitoring air, water, and soil parameters in real-time, all within a mobile AI-supported system.

The team officially presented the national patent documentation to President Dr. Elias Warrak and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Rami Abboud, after a live demonstration of the robot. This achievement not only highlights the scientific and technological capabilities and infrastructure of FOE at UOB but also reflects the faculty’s ongoing commitment to innovation with real-world impact.

Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Rami Abboud expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the team commending their dedication and perseverance converting the LIRA 17 (2024) Award into an instant reality to serve society. He emphasized that ENVIBOT stands as a proud product of UOB’s vision for applied research, sustainability leadership, and industry-integrated education, further strengthening its reputation as a national hub for engineering excellence.

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