Google Buys Drone Firm That Facebook Pursued, Too

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Titan's Solara 50 drone aircraft.

Image: Titan Aerospace

By Todd Wasserman2014-04-14 18:41:03 UTC

Google has purchased Titan Aerospace, a maker of drones that Facebook was reportedly interested in buying as well.

“Titan Aerospace and Google share a profound optimism about the potential for technology to improve the world," Google said in a statement provided to Mashable. "It’s still early days, but atmospheric satellites could help bring internet access to millions of people, and help solve other problems, including disaster relief and environmental damage like deforestation. It’s why we’re so excited to welcome Titan Aerospace to the Google family."

See also: 6 Crazy Drones You Won't Believe Exist

Titan's 20-person team will stay in New Mexico and work closely with Google on Project Loon, high-altitude balloons that provide Internet service to areas that currently lack such service. Titan may also work with Makani, a Google project that is developing an airborne wind turbine, according to The Wall Street Journal .

In addition, Titan's drones can collect real-time, high-resolution images of Earth, which may help Google's Maps unit, according to the report.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The purchase comes a month after TechCrunch reported that Facebook was also interested in buying Titan Aerospace to provide air-based Internet services for $60 million.

Google is also reportedly interested in buying Skybox Imaging, a company that launches small satellites to provide high-resolution imagery, according to The Information .

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Topics: Business, Drones, Facebook, Startups, Titan Aerospace, U.S., World