The US company, which specialises in using turbines mounted on tethered kites or wings to generate power, is to become part of Google X, the secretive research and development arm of the business.
The deal comes at an important time for Makani with it having recently carried out the first fully autonomous flights of robot kites bearing its power-generating propellers. Makani claims that mounting the turbines on a wing is more efficient as large numbers can be built with fewer materials than traditional tower-based turbines. In addition, the robot wings can land to avoid damage if wind speeds are too high or during bad weather. Power is generated by the wing flying in a circular path, with electricity transmitted to the ground via the conducting core of the tether.
In a statement posted to its website, Makani said the deal would "provide Makani with the resources to accelerate our work to make wind energy cost competitive with fossil fuels".
