In another sign that Google (News - Alert) is looking to expand in the field of robotics – even if it’s just for internal use – the company is acquiring Boston Dynamics. Details on the transaction are sketchy – with no word on how much Google paid for the innovative robotics company – but the deal could show one future direction of Google.

The latest acquisition represents the eighth robotics firm Google has acquired in just half a year. That number of deals certainly has got the attention of sector analysts. Much of the speculation suggests Google could be copying Amazon in how it uses or may use robots in the future, as Amazon is known for its interest in robots to select products.

Google could use the robots in the manufacturing/assembly of products or in retailing – rather than selling a brand of robots commercially in the marketplace, according to news reports.

Perhaps, someday Google could use robots to help deliver products to the consumer from the factory. That may be far-fetched, but is theoretically possible. Google has already started a limited package delivery service. More likely is that parts of the process could be made easier with the use of robots.

So the application of robots could be for the company’s internal use, with other options being selling them to other businesses which will do likewise, or, even offering a branded robotics service to other businesses.

“The opportunity is massive,” Andrew McAfee, a researcher at MIT’s (News - Alert) Center for Digital Business, told The New York Times. “There are still people who walk around in factories and pick things up in distribution centers and work in the back rooms of grocery stores.”

Also, the Times reported recently that Google’s buying spree of robotics companies could lead to a “new generation of robots.” 

Given that robotics is such a financially promising field, it’s possible Google could someday develop and launch robotics products of its own.

Google’s lead guy on the robotics research initiative is Andy Rubin, who was instrumental in Google’s popular Android (News - Alert) smartphones. He’s known as a robotics enthusiast. He sent out a tweet this past weekend saying, “The future is looking awesome!”

Now back to Boston Dynamics. A spin-off of MIT, Boston Dynamics is known for its many inventions, such as Cheetah, a robot which can travel 29 miles per hour. Many of its inventions are mobile robots which can handle diverse terrain.

Boston Dynamics often works with other companies or government agencies. For instance, it worked with Sony on Aibo, which is a robotic dog. The U.S. Defense Department is a customer, too, including its Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa). The robots the firm developed could be used in military operations. Google will honor the Darpa contract, but reports suggest Google is not expanding into other military applications – at least any time soon. 


Edited by Rory J. Thompson