Google uses robots to test latency on Android devices [VIDEO]

This behind-the-scenes tidbit by Googler François Beaufort may not be useful for the common user to do anything practical, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Google apparently uses an automated robot to test latency in Chrome OS and Android.

The robot’s job is to simply provide consistent strokes of input so Google can get an accurate reading on how fast the device responds to your touch. They do so using Touchbot, a web-based latency test engine that provides common touch and scroll scenarios.

In fact, the latency engine they use is completely open sourced and has been publicly implemented for you to try on your Android device by clicking right here. The results obviously aren’t great — the team knows they still have a lot of work to do to eliminate lag in Google Chrome — but it’s nice to know that they treat it seriously enough to use something like a robot for testing procedures. Take a look at the quick video of it in action above.

[via Google+]