Google gets even deeper into the robot business with acquisition of Boston Dynamics

Google gets even deeper into the robot business with acquisition of Boston Dynamics
Google has confirmed its acquisition of robotics engineering maker Boston Dynamics, a company that has designed mobile research robots for the Pentagon.

The company builds robots such as the BigDog, which can stay upright, walk with almost perfect balance over uneven terrain and run faster than humans.



While it is unclear what Google's larger picture is, Boston is the eight robotics company to be purchased by the search giant in the last year. The company's robotics division is led by former Android boss Andy Rubin. Boston Dynamics has not sold the robots commercially, but has worked with the Pentagon, including building a set of humanoid robots named Atlas. Atlas' goal is to be able to operate in the event of natural disasters or man-made catastrophes like the Fukushima power plant meltdown.

Here are a few videos of the company's products:




Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 15 Dec 2013 13:09
Tags
Google Boston Dynamics
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  • 10 comments
  • Ghostdog

    *cough* Skynet *cough*

    15.12.2013 14:39 #1

  • cart0181

    5 mph is not faster than humans.

    15.12.2013 16:15 #2

  • Mrguss

    The Ma-ma-sheep !
    The end of human rights [race] is fast approaching (From corporations to terminators) ?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETkyIFfXjpM

    +5000

    15.12.2013 18:14 #3

  • dali

    Originally posted by Ghostdog: *cough* Skynet *cough*
    LOL. I was about to use the same... Joke???

    "You know, it seems that quotes on the internet are becoming less and less reliable." -Abraham Lincoln.

    16.12.2013 02:33 #4

  • xboxdvl2

    Quote: run faster than humans i wanna see 2 of robots beat usain bolts world record if they can truly run fast than humans.

    custom built gaming pc from early 2010,ps2 with 15 games all original,ps3 500gbs with 5 games all original,yamaha amp and 5.1channel surround sound speakers,46inch sony lcd smart tv.

    16.12.2013 07:12 #5

  • doowop72

    Originally posted by Ghostdog: *cough* Skynet *cough*
    Or we're gonna have personal home robots like in "IRobot" (Will Smith).

    17.12.2013 00:45 #6

  • DarkJello

    I would think they're acquiring these companies for their expertise in detecting their surroundings to help with building Google's self driving car.

    17.12.2013 14:10 #7

  • rtm27

    Thing handled icey and rocky conditions better than AT-ST walkers!!

    http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/dvd_to_avi_autogk.cfm

    http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/673257

    http://www.letmegooglethatforyou.com/

    17.12.2013 15:50 #8

  • rtm27

    Thing handled icey and rocky conditions better than AT-ST walkers!!

    http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/dvd_to_avi_autogk.cfm

    http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/673257

    http://www.letmegooglethatforyou.com/

    17.12.2013 15:51 #9

  • GryphB

    Maybe they will invest their not so hard earned cash on our DC motor controllers in the future :D

    18.12.2013 19:06 #10

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