Andy Rubin, who helped launch Google’s Android business, is leaving the company. Rubin co-founded the Android operating system, which Google acquired in 2005.
Rubin oversaw the initial development of the platform and remained at the head of Google’s Android business until 2013, when he took on a role within the company’s robotics division. Rubin is leaving Google to create a robotics incubator.
Rubin’s Android role was handed to Sundar Pichai in 2013, who was recently promoted to the head all Google’s products, including Chrome and core experiences like Gmail. Rubin will be replaced by James Kuffner, who is a research scientist at Google.
“I want to wish Andy all the best with what’s next,” Google CEO Larry Page said in a statement. “With Android he created something truly remarkable — with a billion-plus happy users. Thank you.”
