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Perhaps there is hope after all. Not that robots aren't cool and even useful in some contexts, but eventually the truth has to sink in - cool is not synonymous with profitable.
I've always been quite impressed with the robotic technology coming out of Boston Dynamics, however just because you have a cool technology you still need to validate your marketing concept with early customers, like, "If I can build you a robotic dog that can carry an 80 pound load, then will you buy it?"
Many EDA and IP companies forget this crucial marketing step, to validate their product concept at the start of the project, not at the end.
Dan - I think it had more to do with financials and poor culture match with the Googlers, at least according to the article. Of course possible bad PR from the bullying video might be a factor but I'm guessing/hoping this has more to do with business priorities kicking in.
Dan - I think it had more to do with financials and poor culture match with the Googlers, at least according to the article. Of course possible bad PR from the bullying video might be a factor but I'm guessing/hoping this has more to do with business priorities kicking in.
IMHO, if Google wants to spin out Boston Dynamics, the "main" reason might not be on losing money or culture conflict.
First, Google is actively spending money and losing money on many other new ventures. The ongoing R&D spending at Boston Dynamics should be a relatively bearable amount considering what Google spent on other ventures and Google's overall enterprise size.
Second, Google spent $500 million to acquire Boston Dynamics in December 2013. I don't think various Google divisions can't find a way to integrate with them or collaborate with them. If Google wants, Google leadership "will" enforce whatever policy and disciplines needed.
I think one possible reason for this spin-off is that many (if not most) Boston Dynamics' products and projects are funded by military or targeting military as the primary customer. Those government imposed restrictions in migrating advance technology into civilian use and the limited market potential probably is not a good fit of Google's non-military business model.
