Alphabet Just Unloaded Its Crazy Robots on Japanese Telecom Softbank.Three years after acquiring the MIT robotics lab Boston Dynamics, makers of Atlas and other scary bots, Alphabet Googles parent company is selling it off to Softbank, a Japanese telecommunications company already known for its less terrifying robots like Pepper that might soon be getting some impressive upgrades.It turns out that posting You.Tube videos of nightmare inducing robots isnt as profitable as once hoped.Details of the sale, like how much Softbank paid for Googles now defunct Replicant division havent been revealed yet.Youll recall the skunkworks was founded by Android creator Andy Rubin before he left Alphabet to make smartphones again.But the sale also includes Schaft, another talented robot builder which dominated the DARPA challenge a few years ago.Its been a little over two years since Google now Alphabet decided to scoop up robotics labRead more Read.Alphabet has reportedly been trying to sell off its robot division for almost a year now, with companies like Amazon and Toyota initially suspected as possible buyers.While Boston Dynamics has been responsible for creating some of the most advanced robots ever developed, including the humanoid Atlas, and the four legged Spot and Big Dog, advanced technologies dont come cheap.The reality is that Alphabet was still staring down years of expensive R D before it could profitably sell its robotic creations, and Boston Dynamics and Schaft became victims of the companys efforts to scale back its bleeding edge moonshot investments.We got our first glimpse of Boston Dynamics newest robot about a month ago after footage leakedRead more Read.Back in February, Boston Dynamics revealed a bot called Handle, a two wheeled version of Atlas that the labs founder, Marc Raibert, claimed could be built and sold much cheaper than bots like Atlas.By that point Alphabet was already shopping Boston Dynamics and Schaft around as part of cost saving and restructuring initiatives that saw other moonshot projects getting axed as well.And many suspected that Handle, who had undoubtedly been in development for a while already, was only revealed as a way to sweeten the pot for potential buyers.Boston Dynamics, better known for the hulking robot brute known as ATLAS, has just revealed aRead more Read.So what does Softbank want with Boston Dynamics and Schaft The Japanese telecommunications giant has already poured mountains of cash into developing its friendly looking Pepper and NAO robots, after acquiring Aldebaran Robotics in 2.Three years after acquiring the MIT robotics lab Boston Dynamics, makers of Atlas and other scary bots, Alphabet Googles parent company is selling it off to.Fetch Robotics in 2.Demand for Pepper and NAO in Japan has been huge, with Softbank selling out of limited runs almost as soon as theyre made available.So the company is clearly confident theres enough immediate consumer demand to make a few dollars selling bots.In a press release issued about the acquisition, Softbanks Chairman CEO Masayoshi Son praised the work Boston Dynamics has done.Smart robotics are going to be a key driver of the next stage of the Information Revolution, and Marc and his team at Boston Dynamics are the clear technology leaders in advanced dynamic robots.I am thrilled to welcome them to the Soft.Bank family and look forward to supporting them as they continue to advance the field of robotics and explore applications that can help make life easier, safer and more fulfilling.But will Softbank take the same approach that Google did and just let Boston Dynamics and Schaft develop advanced robots for the sake of pushing the field forward Or does it plan to merge them with its existing robotics teams in hopes of making robots like Pepper and NAO more appealing to consumers R D is expensive, and its safe to assume that Boston Dynamics and Schaft didnt come cheap, so the company will almost certainly carefully balance both approaches, which means your dreams of a robot butler are suddenly a lot closer to becoming reality.United Nations News Centre.October. 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In Kyoto, Japanese comedians tackle UN Global Goals.Central African Republic UN Special Adviser condemns incitement of violence and hatred.Norman_Security_Suite_11_11.png' alt='Norman Security Suite Pro 10 1 Key Rings' title='Norman Security Suite Pro 10 1 Key Rings' />Peoples lives continue to worsen, but they live with hope, says UN official in Ukraine.INTERVIEW Haiti on path to stability, development thanks to UN mission, says envoy.Chile becomes latest nation to resettle Syrian refugees through UN backed programme.Libya UN agencies scale up response as fighting displaces thousands in Sabratha region.UN ramps up aid delivery amid surge of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.On International Day, UN forecasts 1.UN chief strongly hopes breakthrough accord on Irans nuclear programme remains in place.Civilians who fled Mosul still vulnerable, need assistance UN official.UN rights office deeply concerned over arrests of LGBT people in Azerbaijan, Egypt and Indonesia.October. Human rights challenges in Libya massive, but not insurmountable, UN rights chief says after visit.In Geneva, UN Member States and experts discuss demographic, economic dimensions of migration.Relief aid is saving lives, but world must tackle root cause of famine conflict UN chief.Silencing opposition voices threatens Cambodian democracy UN rights expert.UN and partners launch plan to stop transmission of bovine tuberculosis to humans.A robots father discusses progress in artificial intelligence and reveals a future thats closer than you think.INTERVIEW Few global issues as urgent as tackling climate and disaster risks UN official.In phone call, UN chief offers congratulations and support to Palestinian President.Disease outbreak real and present danger UNICEF warns, launching latrine building plan in Coxs Bazar.Latin America and Caribbean falling off zero hunger path towards 2.UN report. 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New allegation of sexual abuse surfaces at UN mission in Central African Republic.Despite progress on voter registration, DR Congo faces challenges on election timeline UN envoy.FEATURE A womans strength is unlimited, says award winning UN peacekeeper.UN chief proposes 5.At UN, robot Sophia joins meeting on artificial intelligence and sustainable development.Cutting greenhouse gases, reducing disaster risk, vital for sustainable development UN envoyEm.POWER girls before, during and after crises, UN says on International Day of the Girl Child.UN launches innovative plan to significantly cut new HIV infections.Attacks against Rohingya a ploy to drive them away prevent their return UN rights chief.Youth obesity increases 1.UN backed study reveals.October. Security Council condemns attack on UN mission base in DR Congo.Libya Security Council endorses UN plan on restarting political process.Housing most urgent need for hurricane ravaged Dominica, UN agency reports.Creating a healthy workplace improves mental wellbeing and productivity UNLeaders not interested in finding solution to Yemen crisis, UN envoy tells Security Council.UN agencies launch cholera immunization campaign for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.UN health agency establishes high level commission to tackle noncommunicable diseases.New UN led partnership to help curb unsustainable wildlife hunting, protect biodiversityThe death penalty has no place in the 2.UN chief Guterres.Disaster risk outpaces resilience in Asia Pacific, warns UN regional commission.October. UN Treaty beginning of the end for nuclear weapons, say Nobel Peace Prize winners.UN concerned for safety of more than five million displaced in northern Iraq.On World Day, UN spotlights posts contributions to development.Global unemployment passes 2.UN labour agency reports.UN emergency response fund reaches annual goal of 4. Pc 2 Answering Machine Professional Greetings here. DR Congo Two UN blue helmets killed in attack in North Kivu.Rohingya refugee children perish as boat capsizes off Bangladesh UN migration agency.Rural areas have potential to feed and employ younger, more crowded planet UN report.UNICEF warns of nutrition crisis affecting 1.Mali. 8 October. UN chief lauds Dominicas vision to become first climate resilient nation after recent devastation.October. In hurricane stricken Barbuda, UN chief urges global solidarity, accelerated climate action.October. 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