Android co-creator Andy Rubin departs from Google

Andy Rubin, the co-creator of the Google-owned mobile operating system Android, is leaving Google, according to the Wall Street Journal. Rubin most recently headed the robotics division within the company.

According to the Journal, he will go on to start an incubator for hardware startups. James Kuffner, a research scientist at Google and a member of the robotics group, will replace Rubin as head of the robotics division, which Rubin led since 2013.

“I want to wish Andy all the best with what’s next. With Android he created something truly remarkable — with a billion plus happy users. Thank you,” said Google chief executive Larry Page in a statement to the Journal.

Last week, news emerged that Google was reorganizing its leadership, with Larry Page stepping back a bit and handing over the reins of core Google Products to senior vice president Sundar Pichai. Pichai was already heading Android, Chrome, and Apps at Google.

Rubin cofounded Android in 2003 with Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White, and Google acquired the company two years later.

In a way, this could simply mark Rubin’s return to his roots: startups.