Google is fusing its hardware products into a new division, tapping former Motorola president Rick Osterloh to oversee the business unit.
The new unit will house many of Google's upcoming, as well as existing, hardware projects such as the Nexus smartphone, Chromecast video streaming stick, Chromebook laptops, tablets, and OnHub Wi-Fi routers among others.
Google said that Osterloh will now oversee Project Aura, the group in-charge of reinventing the Google Glass. Google launched its $1,500 smart eyewear developer kit in 2012 but never released a consumer version because of privacy, as well as safety, concerns. Google has stopped manufacturing the Google Glass and decided to cut the cord of its Explorer's beta program in January 2015.
Traditionally, Google's main focus is on the software platform driving the hardware that third parties develop. Even the Google flagship Nexus series is developed in partnership with third-party hardware companies, such as HTC, Motorola, and Samsung among others.
With Google eyeing new technologies in wearables, including augmented and virtual reality, Osterloh is expected to bring expertise in product design and manufacturing to develop products that consumers want.
Recode earlier reported that Osterloh will assume the senior vice president role and directly report to Google CEO Sundar Pichai. He will also work closely with Android SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer, who will now focus his effort on software and platform development, and Nest's CEO Tony Fadell, who will remain an adviser to the Google Glass team.
This will be Osterloh's second time working for Google as he was previously part of Motorola before Google sold it to Chinese company Lenovo.
In January, Lenovo announced its decision to slowly phase out the Motorola brand, changing it to "Moto by Lenovo" and the company has been undergoing a wide reorganization since. Osterloh stuck with Motorola and served as president and chief operating officer until March this year.
Under his watch, Motorola has seen many successful products, including the Moto X, Moto G, Moto E, Droid Turbo and Nexus 6 smartphone series, as well as the Moto 360 smartwatch, which all launched to rave reviews.
Google is hoping to bolster its hardware division further by bringing Osterloh on board.
