Who Owns Boston Dynamics? The Curious Case of the Robot Wranglers
Ah, Boston Dynamics. The company that brought us those super-impressive, occasionally-unsettling robots that can parkour, open doors, and even do a little doggy dance (looking at you, Spot). But who's the puppeteer behind these marvels of mechanical movement? Let's untangle the tale of Boston Dynamics' ownership, shall we?
From Alphabet Soup to SoftBank's Embrace
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Boston Dynamics started out under the watchful eye of Alphabet Inc., the big G that owns Google (amongst other things). They were like the kid in science class who always aced the robot-building competitions. But in 2017, there was a switcheroo! SoftBank, a Japanese tech giant with a penchant for bold acquisitions, scooped up Boston Dynamics.
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Hyundai Motors: The New Sheriff in Robot Town
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Fast forward to 2020, and there's another plot twist! Hyundai Motor Group, the folks behind those sleek automobiles, swooped in and acquired a whopping 80% stake in Boston Dynamics. So, as of today, Hyundai holds the reins, with SoftBank retaining a cool 20% on the side.
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Why the Musical Chairs? A Robot's Take (Probably)
One can only guess at the reasons behind the musical chairs of ownership. Maybe Alphabet needed some extra cash to, you know, buy another whole country (not really, but you get the idea). Perhaps SoftBank just wanted to brag about owning the coolest robots on the block. And Hyundai? Well, maybe they're planning a robot-powered car that can walk, talk, and make a mean latte (don't hold your breath, but hey, a robot can dream).
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FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Boston Dynamics' Ownership Answered
How do I buy stock in Boston Dynamics? Buckle up, because as of now, Boston Dynamics isn't a publicly traded company. So, you can't exactly buy shares and watch your robot-powered portfolio soar (or maybe plummet, who knows with robots these days).
Can I get a robot dog of my own? Kinda! Spot, Boston Dynamics' most commercially available robot, can be yours for the cool price of around $75,000. Just remember, great responsibility comes with robot ownership (and possibly some hefty vet bills, if Spot gets a little too adventurous).
Will Hyundai make robot cars? The future is always a mystery, but the idea of robot cars isn't out of the realm of possibility. With Hyundai and Boston Dynamics joining forces, who knows what kind of robo-rides the future holds!
Are robot uprisings imminent? Let's hope not! Boston Dynamics recently signed a pledge against weaponizing their robots, so hopefully Skynet isn't on the horizon (phew!).
Where can I learn more about Boston Dynamics? Dive into their website (they have some pretty awesome robot videos) or scour the internet for the latest robot news. There's a whole world of fascinating (and sometimes slightly creepy) robotics out there waiting to be explored!
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