The New York Times reports tonight
that Google has acquired Boston
Dynamics, builder of terrifying
walking robots DARPA-related
projects like WildCat/Cheetah, Atlas,
Petman and Big Dog. Andy Rubin has
moved over from leading Android to
directing Google's robotics efforts
and tweeted a link to the story,
commenting that "The future is
looking awesome!" While we're sure
it does -- if you always thought the
T-1000 was just misunderstood --
reactions from meatbags are ranging
from slightly uneasy to completely
freaking out that a company with
robots that go anywhere is teaming
up with a company that seems to
know everything about us.
There's no word on how much
Google spent to snap up the robotics
company, but its founder Marc
Raibert is quoted by the Times
saying "I am excited by Andy and
Google's ability to think very, very
big, with the resources to make it
happen." When we interviewed
Raibert during Expand earlier this
year (included after the break) he
specifically highlighted his
company's recent growth and the
possibility of building consumer-
focused robots in the future.
Google apparently does not plan to
proceed as a military contractor
itself, although according to the
article, Boston Dynamics will honor
its existing military contracts.
Raibert confirmed the acquisition to
us, but so far neither side has
commented further or explained
how search ties into robots that walk
on two or four legs, jump, climb and
crawl. So, which one do you think
will arrive first -- Amazon's flying
drone delivery service
or a Google Now robot that shows up
at places it thinks you will be with a
backpack full of things you've
recently searched for?
The future is looking awesome!

Microsoft, you pipu av killed nokia, wit no plans to resurect them,
Una wan enta robotics now

*google