Amazon builds out AI division with Orbeus 'acquisition'

Amazon acquired artificial intelligence start-up Orbeus last year, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The tech giant allegedly bought the Californian image recognition firm in autumn 2015, according to a source familiar with the matter. Orbeus's website now greets visitors with a message saying it is no longer taking new customers. The domain name - 'Orb.us' - is also owned by a company subsidiary, Amazon Hostmaster. Its photo recognition technology is based on neural networks, and is available via consumer application PhotoTime.