Rosenberg Takes Over Google Robotics, Temporarily

Google’s robotics unit—the former pet project of Andy Rubin—has had its leadership shuffled as it remains in limbo.

The unit is now reporting to Jonathan Rosenberg, who oversaw Google’s products when Eric Schmidt was CEO but recently has taken a back seat, doing things like leading the operating committee at Motorola Mobility (before Lenovo Group took it over). He also co-wrote a book with Mr. Schmidt.

Mr. Rosenberg succeeds James Kuffner, a professor turned Google engineering director who oversaw the robotics unit after Mr. Rubin left last year to start a fund called Playground Global.

The move doesn’t appear to be permanent and some people say Mr. Kuffner’s appointment wasn’t intended to be either. Google CEO Larry Page continues to search for a new robotics boss, people close to the project say.