Tech companies like Google and Facebook owe their success to widespread internet use in the developed parts of the world. As such, it is no surprise that both companies are planning ways to bring reliable and affordable internet to the rest of the world, in hopes of expanding their user base and their revenue streams together with it. Nonetheless, if the projects are successful it would provide an important resource to many people who desperately need it.
However, accomplishing such a task like providing internet to the rest of the world is a more daunting task than what many can imagine, especially since the people who lack internet access leave in areas without the proper infrastructure.
As such, Google thought that having solar-powered drones fly over regions of the world without the service and provide a large area wireless network could a great solution. At least, that’s what the company initially thought. Now, the Titan internet drone project has been terminated.
A statement issued by Alphabet, Google’s official corporate name, reveals that the team of engineers working on Titan was brought into the fold of the X division back in late 2015. The internet drone project was ended shortly after the transition. The statement cites Project Loon’s increased feasibility over Titan in achieving the same goal, as the reason for the termination of the internet drone project. Additionally, many members of the Titan team are already involved in other projects at Google’s X division.
Not many people are surprised by this decision, considering that during its first flight test in 2015, the drone crashed, in addition to problems regarding the transmission of 5G data and other budget issues. Furthermore, since Google’s transformation into Alphabet, it has developed a more financially stern outlook. The company isnt’ as willing as before the hemorrhage a lot of money on moonshot projects with barely any feasibility while teams face greater pressure to turn great and ambitious ideas into practical and profitable concepts.
Another recent transition from a moonshot project to a more pragmatic goal and method of achieving was Google’s plan to develop its own electric car which eventually morphed into Waymo. The company now focuses on only software development while the cars are being provided by various established automakers like Fiat Chrysler.
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