A few years ago, we would hear from Andy Rubin all the time, as the Google exec frequently gave us updates on the number of Android activations. That changed in 2013 when Rubin left his spot as the head of Android for another position within Google. Today Rubin in back in the news for another departure.
Andy Rubin is officially leaving Google and his job as the head of its robotics effort. Rubin will be replaced by James Kuffner, a Google research scientist. Google CEO Larry page said in a statement that he wishes Rubin the best and that “with Android he created something truly remarkable — with a billion-plus happy users. Thank you.”
Rubin is often referred to as the father of Android because he founded the company before it was purchased by Google in 2005. He then led the Android unit inside of Google for several years. While Google hasn’t officially commented on why Rubin left Google, a source speaking to the Wall Street Journal claims that he was “facing constraints on his activities at Google,” something that didn’t fit well with his entrepreneurial personality.
While Rubin hasn’t been involved in the mobile space for nearly two years now, he still played a major role in the industry by being an early part of Android. That’s why many folks will be interested in seeing what Rubin gets involved in next, regardless of whether it has to do with mobile or not.
