Japanese telecommunications and internet firm, Softbank has bought American robotics company Boston Dynamics from Google’s parent company Alphabet.
Boston Dynamics are the creators behind the Atlas and BigDog robots that have been showcased in several online videos. The company has been struggling to commercialise their developments and were put on sale last year.
The Japanese company also announced that it has also bought robotics firm Schaft from Alphabet. Softbank had earlier built the Pepper robot, a friendly robot assistant.
The purchase sees Softbank add to its technologic conglomerate. The company, under Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son’s direction has acquired several companies that it views as pivotal in the introduction and growth of technology fields in the future. Softbank had last year purchased the UK-based processor design firm ARM Holdings for $32 billion. The Japanese firm continues its trend of betting on companies that have potential in the future.