Google's secret project: Android founder Andy Rubin reveals he is building robots

• Over the past six months Google has bought seven technology companies
• These include Meka, which makes humanoid robots, and Industrial Perception which specialises in packaging machines
• Firm is not expected to make these technologies available to consumers
• Instead the tech giant could use them to automate deliveries of goods
• News comes after Amazon announced plans to deliver items using drones

By VICTORIA WOOLLASTON

PUBLISHED: 10:52 GMT, 5 December 2013 | UPDATED: 12:16 GMT, 5 December 2013

Aside from launching a range of new phones, building its latest operating system and even setting up a barge off the coast of San Francisco, Google has been stealthily building a robotics empire. 

Over the past six months Google has bought seven technology companies that each specialise in robotics or automated systems. 

These include Meka, which makes humanoid robots, and Industrial Perception, which specialises in machines that can package goods and load up lorries, for example. 

Google’s investment in these firms has been led by Andy Rubin, the founder of its Android operating system. 

While the firm is not expected to make these technologies available to consumers, it could instead use them to automate deliveries of goods, for example. 

FULL STORY: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2518626/Googles-secr...