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Google Seeks To Sell Prominent Robot Maker Boston Dynamics

Google's parent company is reportedly shopping a high-profile robotics subsidiary after just more than two years.

Mnet 68101 Boston Dynamics Crop

Google's parent company is reportedly shopping a high-profile robotics subsidiary after just more than two years.

Bloomberg, citing two people familiar with Alphabet's plans, indicated that company officials determined that Boston Dynamics was unlikely to generate revenue in coming years — a key emphasis of the tech giant’s research strategy — and decided to cut it loose.

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Boston Dynamics was one of several robotics acquisitions by Google in recent years. The subsidiary generated significant buzz with online videos, including footage of a robot dog training with the Marines and of researchers effectively beating up their latest humanoid robot.

The division, however, reportedly struggled to find proper leadership and repeatedly clashed with officials from Replicant, Google's robotics initiative.

(Image credit: Boston Dynamics)(Image credit: Boston Dynamics)

Boston Dynamics subsequently wasn't rolled into the Google X innovation arm, and Google X officials expressed particularly discomfort about the humanoid video last month.

Bloomberg reported that Toyota's research arm and Amazon.com could be possible destinations for the company.

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