Andy Rubin, Former Android Leader, Leaving Google Andy Rubin, the co-founder and former leader of Android who switched recently to Google's robotics division, is leaving Google, the company said Thursday. Rubin was Android’s leader from its inception in 2003, through its acquisition by Google in 2005, until Rubin was moved out of Android in 2013. During that time, he shepherded Android from its tiny startup days to the world’s most popular mobile operating system. When Rubin left Android, he was replaced by Sundar Pichai, who already oversaw Chrome and Apps. Page handed oversight of most of Google’s products to Pichai last week. Rubin moved to Google’s robotics division, where he oversaw robotics companies that Google owned, like Boston Dynamics. Rubin is starting a startup incubator for hardware companies, according to the Wall Street Journal. Rubin will be replaced in Google’s robotics division by research scientist James Kuffner. “I want to wish Andy all the best with what’s next,” said Google CEO Larry Page in a statement. “With Android he created something truly remarkable—with a billion plus happy users. Thank you.”