Business
Report: Facebook Looking to Launch Its Own Drones
Image: Titan Aerospace
A report in TechCrunch says Facebook is eyeing a purchase of Titan Aerospace, maker of solar-powered, near-orbital aircraft that drives itself.
The social networking giant would use the drones to possibly deliver Internet to parts of the world that currently don't have access, according to the report, which pegs the purchase at $60 million. Reps from Titan and Facebook could not be reached for comment. The goal is in keeping with Internet.org, an initiative that hopes to bring Internet access to the two-thirds of the world that are now without it.
The report claims that Facebook is "in talks" with Titan. If the deal is completed, Titan would begin building 11,000 unmanned drones to deliver Internet access to Africa first. The drones are powered by a battery pack and draw new energy from the sun.
Facebook has made no secret of targeting "the next billion" as Carolyn Everson, vice president of global marketing solutions, deems customers in developing countries. Last July, the company announced that 100 million people — many in the developing world — use its Facebook for Every Phone app, which is aimed at feature phones.
The news comes after Amazon's December announcement that it was planning to offer delivery by drones within the next few years. Amazon's use of drones is not only markedly different than what Facebook is said to be planning, but may also be a PR stunt with little possibility of application.
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