Google DeepMind Bolsters Robotics Ambitions with Boston Dynamics Vet

Google DeepMind Hires Former Boston Dynamics CTO to Push Deeper into Robotics Google DeepMind, a leading artificial intelligence (AI) research company, has made a significant move in its push into robotics by hiring Aaron Saunders, the former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Boston Dynamics. Saunders joined Google DeepMind as Vice President of Hardware Engineering earlier this month, bringing with him a wealth of experience in robotics development. According to sources, Saunders' hiring is a key part of Google DeepMind's vision for Gemini, a robot operating system that can work across various body configurations. This vision is similar to how Google supplies its Android software to smartphone manufacturers. In an interview with WIRED, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis explained the concept: "We want to build an AI system, a Gemini base, that can work almost out-of-the-box, across any body configuration, obviously humanoids, but nonhumanoids too." Saunders' background in robotics development is impressive. At Boston Dynamics, he worked on an amphibious six-legged prototype before being promoted to Vice President of Engineering in 2018. He became the CTO of Boston Dynamics in 2021, a position he held until joining Google DeepMind. Boston Dynamics is famous for developing legged robots, including four-legged dog-sized systems and humanoid machines capable of impressive acrobatic feats. Google DeepMind has been producing significant robotics research for years, with a focus on developing AI systems that can interact with and learn from the physical world. The company's research has the potential to revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. With Saunders on board, Google DeepMind is likely to accelerate its push into robotics, potentially leading to significant advancements in the field. In terms of financial details, Google DeepMind's parent company, Alphabet Inc., has invested heavily in AI research and development. In 2020, Alphabet Inc. reported a net income of $40.3 billion on revenue of $161.8 billion. Google DeepMind's specific financials are not publicly disclosed, but the company is believed to be a significant contributor to Alphabet Inc.'s overall revenue. The market impact of Google DeepMind's push into robotics is likely to be significant. The global robotics market is expected to reach $135.6 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%. Google DeepMind's entry into the market is likely to increase competition among robotics companies, potentially leading to increased innovation and lower prices. In terms of company background, Google DeepMind was founded in 2010 by Demis Hassabis, Shane Legg, and Mustafa Suleyman. The company has since become a leading player in the AI research industry, with a focus on developing AI systems that can interact with and learn from the physical world. Google DeepMind's research has the potential to revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Looking to the future, Google DeepMind's push into robotics is likely to lead to significant advancements in the field. With Saunders on board, the company is well-positioned to accelerate its research and development efforts, potentially leading to breakthroughs in areas such as autonomous systems, human-robot interaction, and robotics manufacturing. As the global robotics market continues to grow, Google DeepMind's entry into the market is likely to have a significant impact on the industry.