From The Kernal:
Google is building a robot army
Google has acquired 8 robotics companies over the last 6 months. But why? Ned Donovan reports.
Boston Dynamics
1. Boston DynamicsFor a company whose motto is “Don’t be evil”, the fact that Google has bought 8 robotics companies over the last 6 months. However, so far the search engine giant has been quiet about the spending spree and refuses to divulge any details or motives behind the purchases.
With Amazon supposedly launching drone delivery next year, the invasion of robots is certainly upon us. While Amazon’s motive is clear, Google is less vocal and the robot project remains a mystery. In fact, the giant has been so quiet about the acquisitions that it wasn’t until Boston Dynamics was bought that the other 8 companies came to light. The New York Times has labelled them collectively as Google’s ‘Robot Menagerie.’
All of this is part of what Google vaguely calls “the Robot Project”, and it is being managed by the former head of Android, Andy Rubin. Combined with the empty Google Barges floating in the San Francisco Bay, there is a mystery behind what is going on at the Mountain View Campus.
Arguably the touchpaper that lit the revelation that Google had spent the past year acquiring robots, Boston Dynamics is the most well known of the 8 companies. This is mainly due to its projects such as “Big Dog” going viral on social media. Boston Dynamics’ focus in the past few years has been on working for DARPA, the US Military’s own R&D lab. They are responsible for the terrifying freestanding bipedal robot “Petman” that can walk, wear camouflage and deal with chemical disasters.2. Meka Robotics
“We have been acquired by Google and are busy building the robot revolution. Please come again.” That is the message that appears on Meka Robotics’ website below a robot face that fits well into the uncanny valley. Meka is well known for creating the humanoid android Dreamer that mimics human facial interaction. One of their achievements has been to create robot eyes that function at the same speed as the eyes of humans.3. Redwood Robotics
If, in the future, you have the ability to buy a robot butler, the chances are its arms will have been made by Redwood. The company had made its entire focus on creating the perfect robotic arm and was jointly founded by Meka Robotics and another firm. The company was last reported to be working on a cheap robotic arm available for less than $5,000.4. Industrial Perception
With the motto being, “Providing robots with the skills they’ll need to succeed in the economy of tomorrow”, Industrial Perception sounds like a university for robots. The company is behind a 3D vision system for robots that makes the Industrial Perception creations look like Wall-E when they’re functioning.......MORE
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