Google Validates Putting Robotic Intelligence in Every HomeNicholas West These major purchases indicate that Google is poised to automate the concept of Smart Homes to a far greater degree than has been possible before. According to leading tech site,Gigaom, the robot invasion is about to begin in earnest as we move on to an expanded landscape interconnected and managed by an Internet of Things. Until this point, the Smart Home has been largely conceptual due to the need for manual implementation by the end user. However, Google aims to introduce robotic intelligence in such a way that ease of use will be immensely expanded. It is this level of automated convenience that will be required for full adoption by the non-tech inclined. We often think of robots only in the humanoid sense and indeed Google has invested in that element as well, as they seek to bring autonomy from the assembly line to delivery. But, as Gigaomexplains, robots and their attendant intelligence can be any size and in any form, so long as they maintain a key feature. This mission to add intelligence embedded in physical objects can also be seen in the other companies that Google has scooped up as of late: What we are witnessing is Google consolidating the companies that are central to building the architecture of this new Internet. In early 2012 David Petraeus spoke to the CIA venture capital firm In-Q-Tel. He stated rather matter of factly that that an internet of things was already taking shape. Its not only the elective consumer gadgets like smartphones and whatever new video game system is being introduced. It will be all appliances and every object that can be given sensors to collect information and connect to the overall Smart Grid and beyond. In other words, before you determine what you might need from the objects around you, they already have made that decision, stored the data, reported it for analysis and wait only for further instructions from the ruling algorithm. We should also keep in mind that this technology is not happening in a vacuum; it is supported by a political/corporate will to keep alive the concept of man-made global warming as a core reason for governmental concern for the energy consumption of its citizens. That governmental interest, in fact, could be seen as the real ruling algorithm. An announcement from libertarian site Personal Liberty Digest is titled, Obama Administration Seeks Volunteers Who Want Government To Score Their Home Energy Consumption where they state: This world is being built, and with Google now manning the helm of the ship of state we can expect a much faster and coordinated roll-out. Moreover, since this technology is being subsumed into Googles holdings, it offers them a way to further integrate all platforms. This raises obvious privacy concerns about how data will be collected, stored, and shared and for what purpose(s). As tech writer Stacey Higgenbotham notes, a visit to the Nest Blogs FAQ sectionseeking answers about the potential coordination between Nest and Googles products did very little to alleviate her concerns over privacy and the use of her personal data. As a society, we already have embraced our smart gadgets to a dangerous degree, as is admitted to within the concerns posted above. Every privacy violation that has been revealed continues to warn us that we are putting too much trust in this technology and the companies delivering these products. We must stop voluntarily complying with a system that will eventually eradicate our ability to live a life free from surveillance and control. Here are two tweets from readers of The Verge which further encapsulate the challenges we face: Here are some other companies to keep an eye on as the Internet of Things continues its roll-out and Google continues to invest. If anyone would like to contribute to researching these companies and spreading the word, please contact us here, and we will consider publishing your article. Other sources: Further reading: 