Alphabet abandons its project of drone solar – Presse-citron

Alphabet no longer wants to develop drones the sun.

just like Facebook, Google is trying to find innovative ways to connect the rural areas where the infrastructure for the internet are lacking.

in addition to project Loon, which is to connect people via balloons airships, the firm of Mountain View had also purchased the company Titan Aerospace in 2014. This start-up is working on drones that are operated with solar energy and able to stay above the clouds for very long durations.

such drones could be used as satellites to take pictures (for Google Maps) or to connect regions that are not yet covered by the network. But unfortunately, this will not happen.

When Google decided to reorganize its operations into smaller entities under the authority of the mother house, Alphabet, Titan Aerospace (with its proposed drone-solar) has been integrated to the entity ” X “, dedicated to the most innovative projects of the company.

But today, we learn that in 2016, the Alphabet has decided to discontinue the development of its drones to the sun. The employees who worked on this project have been integrated into other teams, for other products or services.

Interviewed by our grants Business Insider, an employee of Alphabet has indicated that the development of drones and solar division X prefers to focus on the project Loon, which would be more feasible both technically and economically.

as a reminder, in order to offer internet in the rural areas in the world, Alphabet does not create its own operators. Rather, he intended to offer his balls to operators who are already working in the country concerned or work with them. Many trials have already been conducted.

Otherwise, for a reminder, the division X Alphabet is also working on drone delivery, smaller and which do not work with solar energy. Despite the recent departure of the boss of the project, Dave, Your, Alphabet, has indicated that he is still engaged in it.

Otherwise, as a reminder, Facebook has already flown a prototype of its drone solar baptized’aquila.

(Source)