The tech giant Google underwent some intense reorganization back in October 2015 when Alphabet became the parent company. The projects that were not a component of Google’s core business were spun out into separate Alphabet companies that featured their own CEOs. What follows is a list of 20 of those moonshot projects. Check them out and let us know what you think of them.
20. Google Fiber
Google Fiber is responsible for providing ultra-high speed internet and over 150 TV channels. In fact, users can record up to 8 shows simultaneously on the Google Fiber DVR.
It provides an internet connection that features a speed of 1,000 megabits per seconds – one of the fastest US internet providers.
As of now, it is only available in Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Kansas City, Nashville, Raleigh-Durham, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, and Provo, Utah. Fiber falls under the Access and Energy Company under Alphabet.
19. Nest
Nest showcases the Alphabet’s plan of tackling smart home technology. Most of you know it because of the smart thermostat, however, Nest is also making a number of other smart home products such as smart fire detector and smart home security camera.
It was acquired back in 2014 for $3.2 billion and is its own company under Alphabet.
18. Driverless cars
Google is leading the race of driverless cars with over 90 years of collective driving experience under its self-driving car software. Google’s driverless cars have covered, up till November 2015, 1.3 million miles in autonomous mode.
Google’s driverless car project is being run by the Google X Company under Alphabet.
17. Delivery drones
Project Wing is Alphabet’s way of replacing the mailman with drones. A patent was filed back in October 2014 for this. The system would rely on drones and robots for delivery of package.
Alphabet has plans of bringing this technology to consumers in 2017. Project Wing is being run by the Google X Company under Alphabet.
16. Smart contact lenses
Alphabet is also focusing on smart contact lenses that will run on solar power and shall be able to collect biological data pertaining to the user. According to reports, the company is also focusing on using small glucose sensors that will ascertain sugar levels in user’s tears. The project is being worked upon by Alphabet’s Verily Company that was previously known as Google Life Sciences.
15. Devices that counteract Parkinson’s Disease
A gadget to help patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease was designed by Lift Labs – the company was bought by Google back in September of 2014 and is currently operating under Google X. The spoon reduced shaking by 76% on average.
14. Renewable energy from wind turbines
Google bought Makani Power back in 2013, the company has been making airborne device known as ‘energy kite’ for the creation of renewable energy. According to Makani, this gadget is capable of generating 50% more energy when compared with conventional turbines and uses 90% less material. It is being operated under Google X now.
13. Internet-beaming hot air balloons
Project Loon is one of the most talked about projects introduced by Alphabet. The project aims at providing Internet to 2/3rd of the population by making use of hot air balloons. It is being worked upon since 2011 and is run under Google X.
12. A pill that can detect cancer cells
Small magnetic particles are being designed that are capable of searching for signs of cancer and various other diseases in the human body. The company is also developing a wearable gadget that will be used as a tool for monitoring. The project will take another 4 years for completion and is being run by the Google X research lab.
11. A wearable that tracks your health for clinical trials
This wristband works by measuring health rhythm, skin temperature and pulse. It is also capable of tracking external factors such as light and noise. The device will be used as a medical device and is being developed by Google X.
10. Internet-beaming drones
The second approach being used by Alphabet for providing Internet to the world using drones. Titan Aerospace that makes solar-powered drones was bought to make this project become a reality. It is being run as part of Project Titan under Google X.
9. Robots!
Alphabet also acquired a number of robotic companies back in 2013 and the one most famous among them is the Boston Dynamics. The robotic company has created multiple robots inspired by animals. All robotic projects are being run as part of Replicant and under Google X.
8. Free WiFi in New York City
Google talked about providing free Wi-Fi in New York City back in June 2015 under the name of LinkNYC. The project is already transforming the old payphones into Wi-Fi hotspots that feature USB charging ports. LinkNYC is being run as part of Sidewalk Labs under Alphabet.
7. A closer look at the human body
This is a part of the project known as Baseline Study. What’s going on here? Alphabet is gathering genetic and molecular information from a total of 175 folks. The idea is for this data to facilitate researchers in ascertaining heart disease and cancer earlier and drive the medicine towards prevention rather than treatment. It is being run under Google X.
6. Longer lasting batteries
Seemingly simple project is quite a difficult one. The demand for batteries that run longer is quite large. Larry Page, Alphabet CEO said back in 2013 that battery life for mobile devices is a ‘huge issue with real potential to invent new and better experiences’. As of now, a small team of four members is working on this project under Google X.
5. A giant genomics storing service
Google also offers cloud storage for your genome at a charge of $25. The idea is to collect a huge amount of genomes and use it for scientific research. The project is also being run under Google X.
4. Curing death
The company is also working on far too ambitious projects that could potentially help with increasing the average life span. The research has been kept confidential, however we know that the research team is focusing on genes that are linked with longer lifespans. The project is being run by Calico under Alphabet. Calico stands for California Life Company.
3. Artificial Intelligence
DeepMind is the company’s AI research firm and has been working at refining the AI ever since it was created. Recently it was able to beat a human at the complex game of Go for the first time ever.
2. Virtual reality
The company has recently opened up a virtual reality division under Google. The company is also working on improving the Google Cardboard to render it more powerful.
1. The ability to control objects in the virtual world.
Project Soli is the amazing project where users are capable of controlling objects in the virtual world. It makes use of radar waves to ascertain finger movements and thus allows users to control virtual items or navigate the phone without actually touching it. The project is being run under ATAP (Advanced Technology and Projects). ATAP is considered a Google company.