Android founder Andy Rubin is leaving Google

By Carly Page

Will create an incubator for hardware startups

ANDY RUBIN, co-creator of Google's Android software and more recently head of the company's nascent robotics efforts, is leaving the company.

The Wall Street Journal (paywalled) reported Rubin's departure on Thursday, revealing that he is leaving Google after nine years to create an incubator for hardware startups in the field of robotics.

Google CEO Larry Page confirmed Rubin's exit in a statement, and thanked him for his work at the company.

"I want to wish Andy all the best with what's next. With Android he created something truly remarkable with a billion plus happy users. Thank you," Page said.

Rubin joined Google when the company bought his Android startup in 2005. Since that time, Rubin has seen the software take on the likes of Apple's iOS to become the most widely used mobile operating system in the world.

In 2013, Android fell under the purview of Sundar Pichai, who had formerly managed the company’s work with the Chrome web browser and operating system.

Just last week it was revealed that Page has given Pichai more responsibility by putting him in charge of almost everything. 

Rubin stayed at Google after leaving the Android team to work on robotics, overseeing many acquisitions in the space, including that of Boston Dynamics.

Google research scientist James Kuffner will take Rubin's place to lead the robotics group. 

Rubin also played a major role in Google's legal battle with Oracle over the use of Java code in Android, testifying in court that, while working on Android, he had been under the impression that key Java APIs were copyrighted.