Google buys Boston Dynamics

Void

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If I were the owner of Google I would totally rename this subsidiary company to Cyberdyne just to fuck with people.
 
Tuco

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This is pretty big news, and google has recently sucked up a handful of other robotics companies:
Google Acquires Seven Robot Companies, Wants Big Role in Robotics - IEEE Spectrum

These all seem to be related to bipedal/quadripedal robots (rather than wheeled robots like their world-class autonomous prius). Nobody knows what exactly their focus is. My guess is to create a hugely improved bipedal robot, beat the shit out of a few DARPA challenges, make a cool video of a robot carrying a blind dude around and then I dunno, create a fleet of bipedal robots that pick through your trash to look at bank statements so they can focus ads on you harder.

Google has amassed an incredible team of roboticists and created such an amazing car that I'm really excited to see what they can do. But nearly all of Google's R&D (From android to gmail to google fiber) points back to either getting more people on the internet or getting more information about people on the internet. Robotics seems pretty far from that focus.
 
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Tuco_sl said:
But nearly all of Google's R&D (From android to gmail to google fiber) points back to either getting more people on the internet or getting more information about people on the internet. Robotics seems pretty far from that focus.
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A robot holding a gun to my head would get all the information they needed.
 
jooka

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Find it interesting that previous head of Android Andy Ruben is leading whatever they are up to, which he has a background in Robotics as well.
 
Vaclav

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Google cars are on schedule for 2025 in the public, no? Would seem to tie or expand upon that concept to me.
 
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Xith

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I've seen the Boston Dynamics production floor a couple of times and it seems like a pretty cool place to work. In their lobby they have some of their first robots and it's amazing to see how far they have progressed. I imagine having Google behind them will only accelerate things more.
 
BrutulTM

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One other aspect of the purchase is that Boston Dynamics was mostly funded by DARPA to this point, but Google said that while they will complete the contracts already in place, they will not be doing any more work for the government/military once those are finished.
 
Neki

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So now Google have already mapped out most of the world, created self driving vehicles, probably know you better than you know yourself, have the biggest collection of digital media on the planet and is now moving into robotics.

My theory is that Google is making robots for manufacturing and industrial sectors and then eventually expanding their expertise into personal assistants for business or for the home like doing household chores.

Alternatively, they are going to take over the world with Google Glasses wearing robots in their self driving vehicles finding their way to your house using Google maps

Hail to our new Google Overlords
 
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Antarius

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I guess there was too much regulation for them to sell self driving cars, so instead they will transport us around on mechanical horses... Because steampunk.
 
Neki

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BBC News - Google buys UK artificial intelligence start-up DeepMind

Google has bought UK start-up DeepMind for a reported ?400m, making the artificial intelligence firm its largest European acquisition so far.

DeepMind was founded by 37-year-old neuroscientist and former teenage chess prodigy Demis Hassabis, along with Shane Legg and Mustafa Suleyman.

The artificial intelligence company specialises in algorithms and machine learning for e-commerce and games
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BBC News - Why has Google bought an AI company?

Earlier this week Google spent ?400m buying a UK firm that specialised in artificial intelligence.

DeepMind is a privately-held company founded by Demis Hassabis, a 37-year-old neuroscientist and former teenage chess prodigy, along with Shane Legg and Mustafa Suleyman.

According to DeepMind's website it builds "powerful general-purpose learning algorithms".

But what does Google plan to do with its newly purchased expertise?

The company has not issued a detailed statement on the acquisition, but that has not stopped industry observers from trying to work out the motives behind it.

Google has recently bought a number of robotic companies and artificial intelligence is often associated with the development of these machines.

Several news websites asked if Google was planning to combine its robot and AI purchases and build "Skynet" - a reference to the fictional, self-aware artificial intelligence system that features in the Terminator films...
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So, Google has brought various robotic firms and now are acquiring advanced AI companies as well...

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