Prime Highlights
- Alphabet is integrating its robotics software unit Intrinsic directly into Google, signaling a stronger push into AI-driven robotics.
- The move positions Google to compete more aggressively with rivals like Amazon and Tesla in automation and robotics.
Key Facts
- Intrinsic was launched at Alphabet’s X division and became an independent “Other Bets” company in July 2021 before being folded into Google.
- Intrinsic’s Flowstate platform simplifies robot programming and will now leverage Gemini AI models, Google Cloud infrastructure, and collaborate with Google DeepMind.
Background
Alphabet decided to bring its robotics software company, Intrinsic, into Google, showing a change in its robotics and AI plans. The move comes as Alphabet looks to streamline its operations and strengthen its position in the fast-growing AI-driven robotics market.
Intrinsic began at Alphabet’s “moonshot factory,” X, where it spent over five years building robotics software. In July 2021, it became an independent company under Alphabet’s “Other Bets” division. On Wednesday, Alphabet confirmed that Intrinsic will now operate directly within Google.
The company focuses on solving one major problem in robotics: complex programming. While robotic hardware has become more affordable, programming robots still demands hundreds of hours of manual coding by experts. Intrinsic developed Flowstate, a web-based platform that allows users to create robotic applications without writing thousands of lines of code.
Intrinsic said joining Google will help speed up research, development and deployment of advanced robotics solutions. The platform will use Gemini AI models and Google Cloud infrastructure. It will also work closely with Google DeepMind to expand AI capabilities for industrial use.
The integration shows that Google now treats robotics software as a main business priority. The company aims to compete more directly with rivals such as Amazon and Tesla, both of which invest heavily in robotics and automation.
In November, Intrinsic partnered with Foxconn, a major supplier to Nvidia, to deploy AI-powered robots for electronics assembly in U.S. factories.
Intrinsic CEO Wendy Tan White said the integration will help unlock the potential of “physical AI” for a broader range of manufacturers and developers by leveraging Google’s AI tools and infrastructure.
