Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Google Gets Serious About Robots Google is reportedly aiming to create technology that can be used to automate existing logistical systems and supply chains.

By Benjamin Kabin

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

modernl.com

In the same week that Amazon revealed plans for delivery-drone domination, it has emerged that Google is getting serious about revolutionizing the robotics industry.

Over the past six months, Google has acquired seven tech companies as it aims to develop the next generation of robots. Spearheading the effort is Andy Rubin, the engineer responsible for developing Google's Android mobile phone software.

Google won't divulge the specifics, but The New York Times reports the effort is geared toward creating robotics for the manufacturing sector, not the everyday consumer. Experts say the technology could be used to automate parts of existing supply chains such as electronics assembly or factory floor operations. Some speculate that the technology could eventually be deployed to automate part of its home delivery service. According to Rubin, there are abundant opportunities to further automate the manufacturing and logistics sectors.

Related: 3 Things You Probably Don't Know About Google Adwords

After leaving the top spot in the Android smartphone division in March, Rubin persuaded Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page to invest in his new project. Neither Google nor Rubin would specify the size of the investment.

Rubin told the Times that technological breakthroughs still needed to occur in order to make his project viable but compared it to Google's self-driving car.

"The automated car project was science fiction when it started," Rubin says. "Now it is coming within reach."

Rubin has already acquired several companies in Japan and the U.S. that are developing humanoid robots, computer vision systems and automated mobility systems.

For now, Google's robotics division will be based in Palo Alto, Calif., with an additional office in Japan.

Related: Thanks to This Gadget, Your Message Alerts Can Smell Like Coffee

Benjamin Kabin

Journalist

Benjamin Kabin is a Brooklyn-based technology journalist who specializes in security, startups, venture capital and social media.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

She Started a Business With $300 After Getting Laid Off. It Made $300,000 in Year 1 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Company.

Bobbie Racette wanted to revamp the virtual assistance space — and provide job opportunities for underrepresented communities at the same time.

Business News

Can Anyone Beat Microsoft at AI? The CEO of Salesforce Thinks His Company Can.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff calls Copilot "the new Microsoft Clippy."

Leadership

Be You, Everyone Else is Taken

This article is about how embracing your authentic self and staying true to who you are not only empowers you but also inspires those around you to do the same.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Franchise

McDonald's Launched a Happy Meal for the 30th Anniversary of a Classic '90s Sitcom — But There's a Catch

The promotion is only available in one country, so fans elsewhere are turning to resale platforms like eBay to buy the collectible toys.

Thought Leaders

Own Your Expertise — 13 Ways to Elevate Your Thought Leadership

Here's how to elevate your expertise and leverage your knowledge to become a trusted authority and visionary in your specific area.