Google invests in UC San Diego project to build computing cluster from 2,000 old smartphones

Type: Investment · Technology: Data Center · Country: United States · Announced: 2026-06-17

Google invested in a University of California San Diego project to construct a computing cluster using 2,000 repurposed old smartphones. The initiative aims to demonstrate sustainable computing by leveraging recycled consumer electronics, reducing e-waste while providing computational power. UC San Diego researchers will configure the smartphones into a functional cluster for parallel processing tasks, testing energy efficiency compared to traditional data center hardware. The project received Google's backing as part of its broader sustainability efforts to explore low-cost, low-carbon computing solutions. Expected to launch in late 2026, the cluster will serve as a proof-of-concept for scalable smartphone-based data infrastructure. No financial terms were disclosed in the announcement.

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