Google Finds More Ways to Surprise Us

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Apr 19, 2014

Google (GOOG, Financial) seems to be on a roll with plans to bring about huge changes in the way it functions. Recently it announced its working on a smartphone prototype called Project Ara, a modular device, and now the news of Google acquiring drone maker Titan Aerospace has flooded the market.

Titan Aerospace is a solar-powered unmanned robot maker that makes planes with 50-meter wingspan that can fly at 65,000 feet and work as atmospheric satellite. These machines have the capability of transmitting voice and data services while flying continuously for up to five years, drawing power from the sun’s rays (reminds me of Superman!) through the solar panels on its wings.

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(Source: BusinessInsider.com)

Why Google Bought Titan?
For some time now Google has been working on Project Loon and the company believes the acquisition of Titan will add substantially to the project’s development and success. For those of you who don’t know what is Project Loon – it’s basically an research and development project through which the search giant is looking to provide internet services even to the most remote corners of the planet, thus bringing the power of the internet to anyone and everyone.

So far Google has been sending high-altitude balloons to an altitude of more than 100,000 feet to establish a wireless network capable of providing speeds equivalent to a 3G connection. The company plans to use the newly acquired drone maker’s expertise to manufacture atmospheric satellites that will help the company bring internet access to millions across the globe and also provide valuable data regarding disasters and environmental changes.

How much Google had to part with for acquiring Titan is not known, but what is known is the 20-member Titan team will work separately from the search giant, but will be closely working to improve Google Maps and Project Loon.

Google Wasn’t The Only Company EyingTitan
Titan Aerospace joining Google surely looks to be promising for Project Loom. But, Google wasn’t the only company eying Titan. From the recent round of rumors, even the social networking mammoth Facebook (FB, Financial) is working on projects, like Google’s Loon, that would require expertise similar to that of Titan’s. Last month Facebook acquired Ascenta, a U.K. based drone maker which also happens to be Titan’s competitor.

Ascenta also works on manufacturing high-altitude drones that are capable of providing services which can be potentially used for expanding the span of internet access and scanning the globe, while being comparatively easy on the pocket. Initially Facebook was looking at acquiring Titan, but it chose to go with Ascenta for almost $20 million. From this it can also be assumed that Google probably had to pay more a lot than $20 million for Titan.

Departing Thoughts
In today’s information driven world, internet is of utmost importance and as Mark Zuckerberg mentioned - it’s a basic human right. Some of the recent studies in this field have revealed how several geographies across the globe have very limited or no access at all to internet. Google has identified a need in all this and is working to provide solutions. May be the search giant will take some more time, but one can rest assured the company will find out ways to turn the idea of flying drones providing internet access into a reality.