News

Google Robot Pulled out of Military Service, Aims to Develop Consumer Model

Schaft was working on developing some truly impressive robotics hardware for the military as part of the $2 million Robotics Challenge. This was an incentive setup by the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to seek the most advanced robotics in the world. With barely half of the three year campaign underway, Google owned Schaft have pulled out of the running.

Schaft were already competing prior to Google buying them out, as the company was formed exclusively to work on this project. However, Schaft was accepting money from the Defense Department, which obviously meant that Google was then a defence contractor, not exactly their angle. Schaft announced earlier this year that it was renouncing DARPA funding now that it had Google writing the cheques, but have now elected to withdraw from the finals completely.

Now it looks like the company and Google, who also own Boston Dynamics, will be pushing for commercially viable products, so expect Google Android to take a whole new and somewhat literally meaning in the next couple of years.

height=450

Thank you The Verge for providing us with this information.

Image courtesy of YouTube.

Peter Donnell

As a child still in my 30's (but not for long), I spend my day combining my love of music and movies with a life-long passion for gaming, from arcade classics and retro consoles to the latest high-end PC and console games. So it's no wonder I write about tech and test the latest hardware while I enjoy my hobbies!

Disqus Comments Loading...

Recent Posts

Still Wakes the Deep 

LIVE THE HORROR: An immersive disaster story aboard a stunningly realised North Sea oil rig,…

4 hours ago

PHILIPS 275V8LA – 27 Inch QHD Monitor

The Philips VA LED display uses an advanced multi-domain vertical alignment technology that gives you…

4 hours ago

EPOMAKER Ajazz AK820 Pro 75% Gasket-mounted Mechanical Keyboard 

【TFT Screen: The Interactive Interface】This 75% mechanical keyboard comes equipped with a TFT Screen, serving…

4 hours ago

Funko Fusion

FANDOM FUSION Play as your favorite characters and wield their unique weapons and skills. Team…

4 hours ago

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Standard Edition

The Definitive Version of Shin Megami Tensei V - Fully evolved with stunning visuals for…

4 hours ago

Hand Warmers Rechargeable 2 Pack

【Unique Split Design】5200mAh hand warmers rechargeable together with double-sided heating function, split snap swivel design,…

4 hours ago