Claude Comair

Career

Comair founded DigiPen Institute of Technology in 1988. Comair served as one of the founders of Nintendo Software Technology in 1996. At Nintendo Software Technology, Comair held the title of Chairman and CTO, and later, Chairman of the Board. At Nintendo, Comair additionally worked on games for Digital Eclipse Software, Inc., Intelligent Systems Co., Ltd. and Namco, and went on to releasing 12 video game titles and receiving 25 patents. At DigiPen Institute of Technology's Research & Development arm, Comair lead the development of an Artificial Intelligence system regarding human behavioral modeling and simulation, titled B-HIVE, for The Boeing Company and their Phantom Works division. B-HIVE and its associated patents were commended as Boeing's "Supplier Technology of the Year" in 2008.

Comair remains the CEO and President of DigiPen Institute of Technology to this day. Comair has established the university in 3 locations- Redmond, Singapore, and Bilbao, Spain, with over 2000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Education and early life

Comair attended medical school in Lyon, France, but he returned to Lebanon out of worry for his home country's condition at the time (Lebanese Civil War, 1975-90). In Lebanon, Comair studied and received a degree of Engineering and Architecture at Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik. While in Lebanon, Comair was offered to establish a computer based research group for the Japanese government in Osaka, Japan. In Osaka, he went on to receiving a Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering from Osaka University's Faculty of Engineering. Comair went on to becoming a faculty member at Osaka University in 1983.

Comair was born and raised in the hamlet of Tannourine, located in the Batroun District of Lebanon. Comair lived in Lebanon during a significant period of the 15 year conflict of the Lebanese Civil War, where approximately 50% of the country's population was either killed, permanently injured, or permanently displaced. Comair sustained a stab wound to his left eye as a young man, rendering him permanently blind in that eye. This injury resulted in Comair's loss of visual depth perception, which he claims inspired his future work in 3D computer graphics.

Personal life

Claude Comair and his wife, Nissrine, reside in Bellevue, Washington, a neighboring city to Redmond where DigiPen Institute of Technology and Nintendo Software Technology are headquartered. Comair has two children, Christopher and Alexander. Comair moved to the United States in 1998 from Vancouver, Canada, but continues to be a non-resident citizen of Canada.

Comair is fluent in 5 languages- English, Arabic, French, Japanese, and Spanish. Comair's native tongues are Arabic and French. Comair became fluent in Japanese when he moved to Osaka, Japan, where he also became fluent in English. Comair later became fluent in Spanish while establishing DigiPen Institute of Technology in Spain. Comair is an enthusiast of bicycle manufacturing, RC airplanes, and ceramics. Comair is a member of the Marymoore R/C Club (AMA Chapter #1610) and has personally designed and manufactured a number of RC airplanes. In 2004, Comair manufactured a bicycle of which he gave to all faculty and staff members at DigiPen Institute of Technology.

Patents

Comair is credited for 29 US patents. Of these, Nintendo or Nintendo Software Technology are the assignees of 25, The Boeing Company is the assignee of 1, and DigiPen Institute of Technology is the assignee of 3.

Comair is credited on 26 US pending patent applications. Of these, Nintendo or Nintendo Software Technology are the registered applicants of 25, The Boeing Company is the registered applicant of 2, and DigiPen Institute of Technology is the registered applicant of 1.

Game credits