Google snaps up drone business to deliver internet by aircraft
Google has continued its programme of diversification with the acquisition of drone business Titan Aerospace, joining a growing arms race with Facebook to be the first to deliver internet services by aircraft.
The technology would be harnessed to bring the web to inaccessible corners of the globe by flying solar powered, unmanned aircraft non-stop for years, 100’s of metres above the surface as a platform for beaming wireless signals.
Commenting on the deal a Google spokesperson said:“Titan Aerospace and Google share a profound optimism about the potential for technology to improve the world," a Google spokesman said.
"It’s still early days, but atmospheric satellites could help bring internet access to millions of people, and help solve other problems, including disaster relief and environmental damage like deforestation.”
In a statement Titan Aerospace added: “At Titan Aerospace, we’re passionate believers in the potential for technology (and in particular, atmospheric satellites) to improve people’s lives. It’s still early days for the technology we’re developing, and there are a lot of ways that we think we could help people, whether it’s providing internet connections in remote areas or helping monitor environmental damage like oil spills and deforestation.
“That’s why we couldn’t be more excited to learn from and work with our new colleagues as we continue our research, testing and design work as part of the Google family.”
Remote delivery of internet communications is being prioritised by both firms as a means to provide new growth markets for their services without the need to install expensive ground infrastructure.