Android Executive Andy Rubin Leaves to Start His Own Project: Was He Unhappy With Google?

Andy Rubin, the man behind Android and a high-up executive at Google, will be leaving the company and starting a project of his own.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Rubin wants to start his own incubator. He will help other hardware startups get the assistance they need to become a company.

Rubin said that he "runs his own show."

The news comes suddenly, as Android is just set to release its newest operating system, code-named Android L and now known as Lollipop. Android phones and iPhone have been in direct battles to win over smartphone users, so it is surprising to see Rubin leave.

Rubin also was the chief of Google's robotics group. That position will be assumed by James Kuffner. Google will keep its robotics research going according to a company spokesperson.

"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."

Rubin has been with Google since 2005 when the company acquired Android. Sundar Pichai, another high up exec at Google, will take over the Android position.

NBC Bay Area cited unnamed sources who said that Rubin was unhappy with Google.

Rubin has always had a passion with robots, and he just started working with robots and Google recently. Maybe Rubin was happy (he's been there eight years), and he just wanted more independence and ability to curate his ideas. Surely the man has the passion and smarts to do something big, but leaving Google at its peak does seem a little odd.

What do you think about Rubins leaving Google? Was it the right time or too early? Leave us a comment below and let us know.