Before the end of 2004, it used the acquired companies to build Google Maps and Google Earth Services. At that time, its tentacles had extended beyond the Internet, and it also scanned books so that people could search and read online. The company has launched many projects, including Google.org, seeking to develop ultra-efficient cars, trying to solve the global poverty problem, and analyzing data to predict the occurrence of events such as influenza outbreaks.
In 2006, Google took a fancy to YouTube and acquired it. In 2007, it released the Android mobile operating system. In 2008, it launched the Chrome browser.
Along the way, Google has continuously expanded its territory and even entered many areas that deviate from its core business. In 20 10, he founded the Google X secret lab and set foot in one project after another.
Let's take a look at the craziest 10 projects of Google since it went public 10 years ago, most of which happened after the establishment of Google X department.
Driverless car
At the end of 20 10, Google unveiled the mystery of one of its secret projects-developing a driverless car, trying to make that futuristic sci-fi movie a reality. Specifically, the company showed off its driverless car, which was modified from Toyota Prius, equipped with lasers, sensors and computers, and has traveled thousands of miles along the San Francisco Bay Area Expressway.
The company hired several top researchers to promote the project, including sebastian thrun, who led the Stanford University team to win the DARPA Autopilot Challenge in 2005. In May of this year, Google also demonstrated a newly built driverless car at the Code conference held by Re/code. This car has no steering wheel, accelerator pedal and brake pedal.
Loon project balloon network
Last summer, Google launched the Project Loon balloon network experiment in New Zealand, aiming to connect more people in developing countries through a series of interconnected balloons flying in the stratosphere.
Google explained, "Loon balloons reach where they are needed through the wind layer that rises or falls in the direction suitable for flying. People can use the dedicated network antenna installed on the building to connect the balloon network. The signal will be transmitted from the antenna to the balloon network and then transmitted back to the network on Earth. "
Machine kite
Google invested in and eventually acquired Makani Power, a renewable energy company, which developed an aerial wind turbine. Chain wings will fly in a big circle like kites, with the help of higher altitude, faster and more stable wind speed. Although the exact plan of the company is still unknown, the big goal is to improve efficiency and promote the popularization of sustainable energy.
White cotton cloth
At the end of last year, Google established a company called Calico. The earliest report said that the move was to "solve the death problem."
This statement is actually not appropriate. But this plan is really ambitious. There are not many specific details, but it is certain that the company focuses on solving the problem of aging and the diseases that accompany it.
It is obviously significant to slow down people's aging, because many diseases seem to be the result of aging, rather than the cause of aging, including cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, various cancers and so on.
"When you really get sick, it will be difficult to recover." Brian Kennedy, chairman of the Barker Institute for the Aged, pointed out, "But slowing down aging can delay the arrival of all those diseases."
smart contact lenses
Earlier this year, Google revealed to Re/code that its researchers have developed a smart contact lens that can measure blood sugar through tears.
It aims to enable diabetics to track their blood sugar levels in a relatively non-invasive way, without having to prick their fingers every time they test their blood sugar, and suffering from frequent flesh and blood. This technology is expected to have a significant impact on the long-term health of hundreds of millions of diabetic patients around the world. It will also provide a way for ordinary consumers to regularly monitor their physical condition.
Like driverless cars, the project was not born inside Google X, but came from a top foreign researcher who has been engaged in related research for many years.
Jet pack
In March of this year, Astro Teller, the head of Google X, said at the TechCrunch Disrupt new york conference that his research department had at least considered developing jetpack, but finally gave up because it was too inefficient and noisy.
Of course, it is worth mentioning that regardless of safety, operational jetpacks have existed for decades. 1964 At the new york World Expo, test pilot Robert Courter flew into the sky with a rocket-driven backpack on his back.
Space elevator?
The New York Times once reported that Google X's list of potential projects includes a "space elevator"-essentially a cable or tower from the earth to space, which can facilitate people to visit space without always using expensive and bulky rockets.
Brad Si Tong of Businessweek later wrote an article refuting this rumor. Taylor himself, the head of Google X, said at last year's South-by-Southwest conference that they were not actively seeking such a project. However, Fast Company broke the news that Google researchers at least discussed the idea, but later realized that it was not feasible with the current materials science.
Instantaneous movement and floating technology
These are not areas that Google is actively studying. According to Si Tong, "Teller and his colleagues said that they spent time thinking about floating and teleportation technology. The latter research has been suspended and will be studied in the future, in part because any special objects you need to transmit (such as Picasso's paintings) must be completely destroyed before the other end can be restored. "
hoverboards
In a close-up of Google X, Fast Company pointed out that Google engineer Dan Piponi tried to build a suspension board prototype. The book-sized device is covered with a circulating magnet, and the principle of driving maglev trains in China and Japan is applied.
As Fast Company explained: "The' magnetic levitation' system of these trains has a stable structure, which can keep them on the track when the trains stop and move in the same direction. Obviously, this system can't keep the suspension board stable and move in any direction. As Peabody explained, the problem is that magnets tend to change polarity constantly, so the floating plate will keep rolling. Anyone who skateboards will tell you what that means: your suspension board sucks! "