Google has added another company to its robotics division—its eighth purchase of a robotics company in just six months.
The Google division, led by Andy Rubin, the man responsible for developing Android platform smartphones, now includes Boston Dynamics, a company with strong ties to the U.S. military and known for developing what some call "creepy," animal-like robots.
The Department of Defense funded many of the robots developed by Boston Dynamics. But while Google said it's honoring existing military contracts, it has no plans to take on new contracts. So one might wonder what a technology company would need with a robot that runs almost 30 mph.
Brian Heater, senior editor at Engadget, speculates that Boston Dynamics was purchased for what he calls its incredibly skilled engineers.
"I suspect that Rubin was very clear with what Google's plans were during the purchase, as Boston Dynamics founder Marc Raibert has been very protective of his company," said Heater.
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"If I had to venture a guess here I'd say the play here is in mobility," said Heater. "[That's] certainly something we've seen Google toy around with via its autonomous vehicle experiments."
Google didn't immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment on what its plans are for robots in light of the Boston Dynamics acquisition.
—By CNBC's Christina Medici Scolaro.