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Google robots may pose challenge to Amazon drones Google robots may pose challenge to Amazon drones
(about 2 hours later)
Google has revealed it has taken over seven robotics companies in the past half a year and has begun hiring staff to develop its own product.Google has revealed it has taken over seven robotics companies in the past half a year and has begun hiring staff to develop its own product.
A spokesman confirmed the effort was being headed up by Andy Rubin, who was previously in charge of the Android operating system.A spokesman confirmed the effort was being headed up by Andy Rubin, who was previously in charge of the Android operating system.
The spokesman was unwilling to discuss what kind of robot was being developed.The spokesman was unwilling to discuss what kind of robot was being developed.
But the New York Times reports that at this stage Google does not plan to sell the resulting product to consumers.But the New York Times reports that at this stage Google does not plan to sell the resulting product to consumers.
Instead, the newspaper suggests, Google's robots could be paired with its self-driving car research to help automate the delivery of goods to people's doors.Instead, the newspaper suggests, Google's robots could be paired with its self-driving car research to help automate the delivery of goods to people's doors.
It notes the company has recently begun a same-day grocery delivery service in San Francisco and San Jose, called Google Shopping Express.It notes the company has recently begun a same-day grocery delivery service in San Francisco and San Jose, called Google Shopping Express.
That would pitch the initiative against Amazon's Prime Air Project, which envisages using drones to transport goods to its customers by air.That would pitch the initiative against Amazon's Prime Air Project, which envisages using drones to transport goods to its customers by air.
"Any description of what Andy and his team might actually create are speculations of the author and the people he interviewed," said Google of the NYT article."Any description of what Andy and his team might actually create are speculations of the author and the people he interviewed," said Google of the NYT article.
One UK-based expert welcomed the news.One UK-based expert welcomed the news.
"This is a clear sign that days of personalised robotic technology entering the mainstream market is imminent," said Prof Sethu Vijayakuma, director of the Robotics Lab at the University of Edinburgh. "This is a clear sign that days of personalised robotic technology entering the mainstream market is imminent," said Prof Sethu Vijayakumar, director of the Robotics Lab at the University of Edinburgh.
"Movement and sensing systems for robotics technology have made great strides. Now, with mainstream companies like Google taking up the challenge, other elements such as robust software integration, standardisation and modular design will pick up pace.""Movement and sensing systems for robotics technology have made great strides. Now, with mainstream companies like Google taking up the challenge, other elements such as robust software integration, standardisation and modular design will pick up pace."
The search giant's robotics project is based in Palo Alto, California, and will have an office in Japan - one of the world's leading nations in the field.The search giant's robotics project is based in Palo Alto, California, and will have an office in Japan - one of the world's leading nations in the field.
Speaking to the NYT, Mr Rubin said Google had a "10-year vision" for bringing the effort to fruition.Speaking to the NYT, Mr Rubin said Google had a "10-year vision" for bringing the effort to fruition.
"I feel with robotics it's a green field," he said."I feel with robotics it's a green field," he said.
"We're building hardware, we're building software. We're building systems, so one team will be able to understand the whole stack.""We're building hardware, we're building software. We're building systems, so one team will be able to understand the whole stack."
The companies acquired by Google to jumpstart its effort are:The companies acquired by Google to jumpstart its effort are: