Google Ropes iPhone Manufacturer

Google ropes iPhone manufacturer into ambitious robotics venture...

Google has made no secret of its intention to extend its reach beyond creating software. Now the Wall Street Journal reports that Google has been working with Foxconn -- famous for manufacturing iPhones for Apple as well as games consoles for Sony and Microsoft -- since last year, according to "sources familiar with matter". 

Over the last few months, Google has gone on a massive acquisitions spree, bringing multiple robotics companies into its fold, includingBoston Dynamics, which famously has created some fairly terrifying machines for the Pentagon.

Heading up Google's robotics unit is former Android boss Andy Rubin, who in an interview with the New York Times last year said the company's robotics project would not initially be aimed at consumers, but would focus on manufacturing and electronics assembly.

Analysts told the Journal that Google is hoping to build a robotic operating system in the same vein as Android, but for manufacturers.

Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou is reported to have met with Rubin recently in Taipei, where they are alleged to have discussed automating manufacturing processes that are currently completed manually. Foxconn is said to be keen on speeding up the introduction of automated technology, as the company is faced with rising labour costs and disputes in China.

The likelihood is that the Google and Foxconn have agreed a mutually beneficial partnership, in which Google can test out its equipment at Foxconn facilities as it attempts to reinforce its current position in the industry. It will also help it better compete with rivals such as Amazon, which recently announced it is developing drones to develop packages straight to customers. Foxconn, on the other hand, will no doubt need access to Google's accumulated expertise in robotics if it hope to automate as it wants to.

As Apple is increasingly taking business elsewhere, Foxconn is supposedly hoping to move beyond making low-margin goods, and instead move into building automobile and medical technology -- although the company did recently announce a five-year partnershipwith beleaguered mobile maker BlackBerry.