Google May Shift Manufacturing of Pixel Phones, Drones to India
As the US government works to lessen their reliance upon Chinese manufacturing, Google subsidiary and residential drone delivery pioneer Wing make plans to manufacture their delivery drones in India. The move is a major win for the burgeoning Indian drone industry, and is being touted by the Indian government and media as a vote of confidence. “This development is not only a feather in India’s tech cap but also a significant economic booster,” writes Defense.in. “The export of Made-in-India drones is expected to create job opportunities, boost the local economy, and contribute to India’s export revenues. Moreover, it will solidify India’s position as a global tech player, showcasing its capabilities in advanced manufacturing.”
Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google and Wing, has announced plans to manufacture its flagship Pixel smartphones in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister MK Stalin confirmed this development on Friday, highlighting the state’s growing importance as a global 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 leading electronics contract manufacturer, are underway to set up the production facility near Chennai, specifically in Sriperumbudur. This region is already renowned for its robust electronics manufacturing infrastructure, hosting major operations for companies 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. However, 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 expected to boost their availability and competitiveness in the Indian market. The same may 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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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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