Google is to buy Titan Aerospace, a New Mexico-based start-up that builds unmanned vehicles (or drones) that can fly for long distances and durations.
The Titan drones are capable of high-altitude flight, and are solar-powered.
The move by Google comes just a month after Facebook bought another drone start-up, UK-based Ascenta.
The Titan technology will probably be used in Google’s Project Loon, which aims to deliver Internet services into remote areas.
Titan will likely also work with another Google purchase, Makani Power, which is developing high-altitude turbines.
A statement on the Titan Web site informs visitors that the company will be joining Google.
“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.”
