It seems Google is acquiring Titan Aerospace, “lock, stock and barrel”.
The news is generating a great deal of buzz today; particularly given it was rumoured Facebook would be the company to invest in or acquire Titan Aerospace.
Both Facebook and Google have projects relating to extending Internet access to billions of people around the world without connectivity – and both involve solar power. Facebook is part of the Internet.org initiative and Google has Project Loon; which uses balloons decked out with transmission equipment and solar panels.
According to Titan Aerospace CEO Vern Raburn, the acquisition process has been very rapid.
“Google’s buying Titan, lock stock and barrel. We’ll have accesses to resources we haven’t had before. We’ll grow the airplane, and with Google, we’re dealing with a company that understands risk, engineering, and it’s consistent with things.”
The Wall Street Journal reports Google says Titan will work closely with its Project Loon.
WSJ states according to a source, after the talks between Facebook and Titan Aerospace were disclosed; Titan was approached by Google, which said it could “beat whatever price Facebook was offering”.
Titan Aerospace’s web site no longer showcases its solar powered drone technology, but previously one of the flagship craft the company was promoting was the Solara 50, which is designed to stay aloft for up to 5 years and is capable of carrying a 32kg payload. A single Solara platform is able to provide transmission coverage of over 17,800 square kilometres.
As for Facebook, the company acquired rival drone-maker Ascenta instead. The UK company was involved with the development of the Zephyr, which became the world’s longest flying solar-powered unmanned aircraft.
In late March, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg announced further details of the work Facebook’s Connectivity Lab is undertaking with regard to building “drones, satellites and lasers to deliver the internet to everyone.”
