Because the US government works to minimize their reliance upon Chinese manufacturing, Google subsidiary and residential drone delivery pioneer Wing make plans to fabricate their delivery drones in India. The move is a serious win for the burgeoning Indian drone industry, and is being touted by the Indian government and media as a vote of confidence. “This development will not be only a feather in India’s tech cap but additionally a big economic booster,” writes Defense.in. “The export of Made-in-India drones is predicted to create job opportunities, boost the local economy, and contribute to India’s export revenues. Furthermore, it can solidify India’s position as a world tech player, showcasing its capabilities in advanced manufacturing.”
Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google and Wing, has announced plans to fabricate its flagship Pixel smartphones in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister MK Stalin confirmed this development on Friday, highlighting the state’s growing importance as a world electronics manufacturing hub.
Production of Wing’s delivery drones would mark Google’s first foray into drone manufacturing in India. This dual manufacturing plan – phones and drones – underscores Alphabet’s commitment to expanding its hardware capabilities and leveraging India’s manufacturing strengths.
Negotiations with Foxconn, a number one electronics contract manufacturer, are underway to establish the production facility near Chennai, specifically in Sriperumbudur. This region is already renowned for its robust electronics manufacturing infrastructure, hosting major operations for corporations like Apple, which assembles over 80% of its iPhones for the Indian market here.
The Tamil Nadu government, represented by officials including Industries Minister T R B Rajaa, has been actively involved in facilitating this development. A delegation recently visited Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, to finalize the manufacturing arrangement.
Currently, Google’s Pixel smartphones hold a minor share of the Indian market, which is dominated by Samsung, Apple, and Vivo. Nonetheless, Alphabet is optimistic about increasing its market presence, leveraging the anticipated excitement around generative AI applications integrated into its devices. The local manufacturing of Pixel phones is predicted to spice up their availability and competitiveness within the Indian market. The identical could also be true for Wing’s delivery drones. Currently, the Indian drone market is heavily regulation to support the domestic industry, prohibiting most imports of foreign manufactured drones.
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