Google beats out Facebook, acquires Titan Aerospace
NewsApril 16, 2014
NEW MEXICO. Google has successfully acquired Titan Aerospace, a start-up manufacturer of solar-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Google will use these drones to connect remote users to the Internet.
Facebook was previously rumored to be purchasing Titan Aerospace, but Google confirmed the acquisition on Monday, April 14. It is not known how much Google paid for the acquisition.
Google will be developing the drones in conjunction with a project they were previously working on – called “Project Loon,” in which giant helium balloons floating 12 miles above the Earth would provide Internet connectivity to the ground below via Wi-Fi signals.
“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,” says a blurb posted on the Titan Aerospace current homepage announcing the acquisition. The rest of the company’s website is currently down as they prepare for the merger.
The Titan satellites are projected to be able to stay in the atmosphere for up to five years, according to reports. Although Facebook was unsuccessful in purchasing Titan Aerospace, news reports show they have acquired a UK-based drone company, called Ascenta.
