Google’s (GOOG) acquisition of military robotics maker Boston Dynamics has certainly gotten tongues wagging but has left one key question unanswered: Why? Media reports about the deal didn’t provide much insight other than to note that Boston Dynamics makes cool stuff. The search engine giant has named Andy Rubin, who oversaw the development on the Android operating system, to head its robotics endeavors, which the company has without irony called a “moonshot.” A spokesman for Google confirmed the acquisition but declined to answer any questions. Boston Dynamics didn’t respond to an email requesting comment.
“The deal is also the clearest indication yet that Google is intent on building a new class of autonomous systems that might do anything from warehouse work to package delivery and even elder care,” according to the New York Times.
Google, which has a market capitalization topping $357 billion, probably didn’t break a sweat buying Boston Dynamics, which is based in the Boston suburb of Waltham, or the seven other robotics companies it has acquired in the past six months. The company has been making a splash with its robotics research for a while. It has been testing driverless cars since 2010 and according to its research, these vehicles were operated more safely with computer drivers than human ones. Google reportedly is in regular contact with automakers about its work in this area.
Wall Street has long fretted about Google’s dependence on search advertising for most of its profits. Others have questioned its interest in pursuing seemingly unrelated side projects whose potential benefits to its bottom line are years away, if they happen at all. Google seems to ignore such chatter and prides itself on being a hub on innovation. Workers there have traditionally been able to devote 20 percent of their time to side projects though there have been some reports that is becoming more difficult.
Read also:
Google Buys Another Robotics Firm (Voice of America)
Google Buys Boston Dynamics in Sensational Eighth Robotics Acquisition (Singularity Hub)
Google acquires Boston Dynamics and seven other robotics companies: Next … (ExtremeTech)
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