Google buys major military robot maker: Why does search giant want to be 'BigDog' of

Oftencold · #1 (**permalink**) 12-20-2013, 11:15 PM

Google buys major military robot maker: Why does search giant want to be 'BigDog' of automation?

Google buys major military robot maker: Why does search giant want to be 'BigDog' of automation? - NBC News.com
Dec. 16, 2013 at 5:33 PM ET

I put this in the economics section to bring it to the attention of people who have, foolishly, disagreed with me when I've suggested that demands from minimal value workers for absurdly high wages will make robotics a major growth industry.

Quote:

Google is on a robot shopping spree, and its recent purchase of a military robot maker has some wondering what exactly the company intends to do with its own zoo of electronic creatures that creep, crawl, and climb.

It may seem odd for the Internet search giant to purchase a Boston Dynamics, a company that makes rugged machines that can run up to 29 mph, traverse rocky terrain and hurl cinder blocks up to 17 feet. The company is the eighth robot maker Google has snatched up. But the deals also indicate that the Internet giant and pioneer of self-driving cars is serious about a robot-filled future.

Other Internet-based companies are tapping into the consumer trend as well. Last year, Amazon bought Kiva Systems, to move packages in their warehouses. Earlier this month, in an announcement that raised eyebrows, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced that flying delivery drones would deliver packages within five years. Meanwhile, experts and researchers anticipate that with our booming population, people may come to increasingly rely on assistive robots for elderly care.

cnredd · #2 (**permalink**) 12-20-2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

It may seem odd for the Internet search giant to purchase a Boston Dynamics, a company that makes rugged machines

I don't find it odd at all...It's called "diversifying your investments"...

Most companies are known for one (or two) things, but they have MANY hands in the ownership of other companies...maybe in whole different industries altogether, too)...It's called a conglomerate, and it's not unusual...

Now whether Google is, somehow, marrying the robotics and its search engine together is still a question, but even if they aren't, it doesn't mean its not useful for the bottom line...

Jackass master · #3 (**permalink**) 12-21-2013, 12:35 AM

"Meanwhile, experts and researchers anticipate that with our booming population, people may come to increasingly rely on assistive robots for elderly care. "

A machine can never replace Lollie!!

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