Google Acquires Drone Maker Titan Aerospace

Many of Google’s expansions into new product segments have begun through corporate acquisitions. These acquired companies often serve as natural extensions to what Google already offers in a particular field such as the recent purchase of SlickLogin, which may signal that sound-based authentication is in the cards for a future version of Android. The same can be said for Google’s acquisitions of Green Throttle Games and AI startup DeepMind, as these will respectively bolster Google’s efforts in mobile gaming and Google Image Search.

Now, Google has agreed to acquire drone maker Titan Aerospace for an undisclosed sum. While this acquisition may instill some Skynet-type fears into the hearts of many, it’s far more likely that this acquisition has more to do with Project Loon than it does with another one of Google’s recent acquisitions. According to the Wall Street Journal, Google is looking to use Titan’s drones in order to assist the former’s Internet access-providing stratospheric balloons. In addition, it seems highly likely that this drone technology will be used to gather detailed mapping data and imagery for Google Maps.

What are your thoughts on this latest acquisition? Do you welcome your new Google overlords? Let us know in the comments below.

[Source: WSJ, Titan Aerospace | Via Engadget]

source: xdadevelopers