After Laying Off Humans, Google Parent Alphabet Lays Off Robots That Cleaned Tables & Sorted Trash
Amid the doom and gloom of massive layoffs, it appears that not even robots are safe from being laid off with new reports confirming Google parent Alphabet laying off robots that cleaned tables and sorted trash. The development comes month after Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed laying off as many as Alphabet 12,000 employees spread across multiple products and divisions.
Alphabet has reportedly shut down its experimental robotics team, Everyday Robots, which had developed over 100 robots capable of cleaning Alphabet’s cafeterias. Everyday Robots was one of Alphabet’s riskier ventures, which collectively lost around $6.1 billion last year. While Alphabet did not disclose the number of layoffs, the move comes as part of the company’s efforts to cut costs amid a challenging economic environment for the tech industry.
Despite the progress made by Everyday Robots, the robots and their trainers were not immune to Alphabet’s budget cuts. According to Wired, the robots likely cost tens of thousands of dollars each.
Denise Gamboa, director of marketing and communications for Everyday Robots, stated that, “some of the technology and part of the team will be consolidated into existing robotics efforts within Google Research.”
The closure of Everyday Robots marks another failed bet for Alphabet’s X moonshot lab, which has previously churned out projects such as internet beaming balloons and more.
The Facts of the Matter
Google parent company Alphabet has shut down its experimental department Everyday Robots, a year after it was promoted out of Alphabet’s secretive X moonshot lab, according to Wired. The robotics venture, which had a team of over 200 people working on various exploratory robotics projects, is the latest failed bet for X, which has also introduced internet-beaming balloons and power-generating kites in the past.
Robots Cleaned Tables, Separated Trash
Everyday Robots developed more than 100 one-armed robots on wheels that could clean cafeteria tables, separate trash and recycling, and open doors. While being trained, the robots were used to tidy up the company’s dining halls and check the cleanliness of conference rooms during the pandemic. Despite making progress, the robots and their trainers were not immune to Alphabet’s budget cuts. The robots likely cost tens of thousands of dollars each, according to robotics experts.
Robot Tech will Consolidate with Google Research
Denise Gamboa, director of marketing and communications for Everyday Robots, told Wired that the project will no longer be a separate project within Alphabet, but some of the technology and part of the team will be consolidated into existing robotics efforts within Google Research.
“Some of the technology and part of the team will be consolidated into existing robotics efforts within Google Research. Everyday Robots will no longer be a separate project within Alphabet,” Denise Gamboa, director of marketing and communications for Everyday Robots, was quoted in a Wired report.
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Google’s Brow-Raising Losses & Recent Lay Offs
It should be noted that Google’s more speculative “other bets,” including Everyday Robots and Waymo, lost about $6.1 billion last year. The loss was like rubbing salt on a burn, as the company’s overall profit too fell 21% to $60 billion due to a slowdown in spending on Google ads.
Earlier this year On January 20, Alphabet announced it would lay off about 12,000 workers, or 6% of its workforce. “It’s unfortunate to see it shut down. We are starting to see that robots can do meaningful work in a general way. I don’t think it’s a sign of a lack of progress. With the right focus, in five years you could have a meaningful product in the market,” a former employee was quoted by Wired saying.
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