Kannan founded Vortex in 2001 to develop technologies appropriate to rural India.
Since 2004, he has been involved in the development of a cost-effective ATM with features specifically tailored to the needs of rural India. He holds patents related to the cash dispensing module of the low-cost rural ATM developed by Vortex.
Vortex was initially focused on the development of Micro Spinning, a new concept in the production of cotton yarn on a small scale. Kannan founded Fractal Foundation in 2009 to carry forward this work. Fractal also seeks to promote a culture of creative and responsible engineering in the public domain, through solutions tailored to specific local contexts. Pilot units of Micro Spinning have been deployed across six states of India, in collaboration with a number of NGOs, with the support of the Union Ministry of Rural Development and NIRD (National Institute of Rural Development). This technology, pioneered by Kannan, received early stage support from CSIR, DST (Science & Society Division) and TePP (a joint program of DSIR & DST) before Vortex was incorporated.
Kannan has developed a number of customized solutions in the domain of electro-mechanical engineering, particularly for contexts that are price-sensitive and demand high reliability. One such instance, which has drawn international acclaim, involves a specialty suspension system that was developed to carry sensitive diagnostic and surgical equipment to remote villages in Karnataka. This technology has enabled the delivery of specialized healthcare at the doorstep of rural people who otherwise have no access to these services. This model has now been replicated in other locations in India and abroad.
Kannan has about 20 years of association with NGOs and other groups engaged in rural development. As Secretary of PPST Foundation, he was involved in organizing a series of National Congresses on Indian Traditions of Science and Technology. These Congresses drew the participation of traditional practitioners, organisations involved in their promotion and revitalization, academics and government agencies. These Congresses were held at IIT-B, Mumbai (1993), Anna University, Chennai (1995) and Gandhian Institute of Studies, Varanasi (1998).
He was invited to help establish a research center at Anna University, Chennai, with specific focus on traditional and rural technologies of India. As Program Secretary of the Center, he headed the research programs of the center for five years. The centre launched research initiatives in a number of directions including natural dyes, leather and artisan industries.
He is also the Co-founder of Sunbeam Matriculation Hr. Sec. School in Vellore. He is associated with LRAMP, a joint program of IIT Madras and Villgro, that mentors grassroots innovators. He holds a B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Madras.
Bio from the period BIL record (source).