16 Dec 2013

Google buys robot firm

Is the singularity edging ever closer? Tech giant Google buys robotics firm Boston Dynamics.

The singularity is a theoretical moment in time when artificial intelligence becomes cleverer than humans – potentially changing the world forever via a variety of sci-fi film scenarios, from robots turning against the humans to ushering in the era of immortal cyborgs.

Perhaps we’re getting carried away in suggesting it could be getting nearer on this ordinary December day. But when one of the world’s biggest technology firms buys its eighth robotics firm of the year, something’s up.

Google announced earlier that it has bought Boston Dynamics, an engineering and robotics firm which developed the fastest robot in the world, Cheetah.

In a statement on Google+, chief executive Larry Page said: “I am excited about Andy Rubin’s next project.

“His last big bet, Android, started off as a crazy idea that ended up putting a supercomputer in hundreds of millions of pockets. It is still very early for this, but I can’t wait to see the progress.”

Boston Dynamics is famous for developing animalistic robots, including WildCat, above, and contracts for the US military. Google did not disclose any more details about the purchase prize or size of the future project.

Earlier this month, Amazon said it was testing whether drones could be used for deliveries.

So is this the dawn of a new era? Watch this space…or get a robot to watch it for you.