Last year Google bought more than 20 companies including many startups. Majority of companies Google acquitted include robotics. Many of the companies it bought in December 2013 through the end of January 2014 include four robotics companies including Redwood Robotics, Meka Robotics, Bot & Dolly, and Boston Dynamics. Why search engine giant Google is bulking up on robotics?
Google is no stranger to robotics. It already has a staff that is winning in competitions and receiving awards. Robotics can certainly help with Google’s ambitious self-driving car project. But the late acquisitions range goes beyond the self-driving car. New acquisitions come under Google X division which is a top secret as the name implies. Schaft Inc. which Google bought in early December 2013 includes a group of scientists that started at the Tokyo University and won awards for its five foot robot that can walk on uneven terrain, climb ladders and clean debris. Redwood Robotics which started as a joint venture between Meka Robotics, SRI International, Willow Garage and many others concentrate on next generation arm for robots that can work alongside humans. Meka Robotics is dedicated to building robots that can live and work with humans such as its M1 Mobile Manipulator.