Project Ara#cite note-Modu-15

Google intended Project Ara to lower the entry barrier for phone hardware manufacturers so there could be "hundreds of thousands of developers" instead of the existing oligarchy of phone manufacturers.{{cite magazine|last=McCracken|first=Harry|title=Project Ara: Inside Google's Bold Gambit to Make Smartphones Modular|url=http://techland.time.com/2014/02/26/google-project-ara-modular-smartphone#ixzz2uxhipHxf#ixzz2uxhipHxf|access-date=4 March 2014|magazine=Time|date=26 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305035329/http://techland.time.com/2014/02/26/google-project-ara-modular-smartphone/#ixzz2uxhipHxf|archive-date=2014-03-05|url-status=live}}

The Project Ara concept consisted of modules inserted into metal endoskeletal frames known as "endos." The frame would be the only component manufactured by Google. The frame was the switch to the on-device network linking all the modules together. Google planned two sizes of frames on launch; a "mini" frame about the size of a Nokia 3310 and a "medium" frame about the size of a Nexus 5. Google also planned a "large", phablet frame about the size of a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to be released in the future. Frames have slots on the front for the display and other modules. On the back are additional slots for modules. Each frame was expected to cost around US$15.{{cite web |last=Summerson |first=Cameron |date=February 28, 2014 |title=Fascinating: Project Ara Team Member Gives Us The First Glimpse Of How The Product Will Work In Model Demo At LAUNCH |url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/02/28/fascinating-project-ara-team-member-gives-us-the-first-glimpse-of-how-the-product-will-work-in-model-demo-at-launch/ |work=Android Police |access-date=4 March 2014}}{{cite news|last=Gannes|first=Liz|title=Meet Project Ara, the Modular Google Phone of the Future|url=http://recode.net/2014/06/29/meet-project-ara-the-modular-google-phone-of-the-future/|access-date=23 August 2014|newspaper=Re/code|date=29 June 2014}}{{cite news|last=Chan|first=Norman|title=Tested Explains: How Google's Project Ara Smartphone Works|url=http://www.tested.com/tech/smartphones/460765-tested-explains-how-googles-project-ara-smartphone-works/|access-date=23 August 2014|newspaper=Tested|date=15 April 2014}} The data from the modules can be transferred at up to 10 Gbit/s per connection. The 2×2 modules have two connections and would allow up to 20 Gbit/s.

Modules would provide common smartphone features, such as cameras and speakers, but could also provide more specialized features, such as medical devices, receipt printers, laser pointers, pico projectors, night vision sensors, or game controller buttons. Each slot on the frame accepted any module of the correct size. The front slots are of various heights and took up the whole width of the frame. The rear slots had standard sizes of 1×1, 1×2 and 2×2. Modules were to be hot-swapped without turning the phone off. The frame also included a small backup battery so the main battery can be hot-swapped. Modules were originally to be secured with electropermanent magnets, but this was replaced by a different method. The enclosures of the modules were planned to be 3D-printed, but due to the lack of development in the technology, Google opted instead for a customizable molded case.

Google intended to sell a starter kit where the bill of materials is US$50 and includes a frame, display, battery, low-end CPU and WiFi.{{cite news|last=Kennemer|first=Quentyn|title=Project Ara presented on video at LAUNCH conference; new details revealed|url=http://phandroid.com/2014/03/03/project-ara-video/|access-date=4 March 2014|newspaper=Phandroid|date=3 March 2014}} Google planned to provide an open development process for modules, and would not have required manufacturers to pay a license fee. Modules were to be available both at an official Google store and at third-party retailers. Similarly to Android apps, an Ara device would be configured by default to only accept modules officially certified by Google, but users would have been able to disable this.

Project Ara was developed and was led by Paul Eremenko,{{cite web|url=http://www.modularphonesforum.com/news/paul-eremenko-talks-project-ara-details-225/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201225336/http://www.modularphonesforum.com/news/paul-eremenko-talks-project-ara-details-225/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 1, 2015|title=Paul Eremenko talks about Project Ara in details | publisher=ModularPhonesForum| date=2015-01-06| access-date=2015-01-06}} who in 2015 became CEO of the Airbus Group Silicon Valley technology and business innovation center. The project fell under Regina Dugan, who runs Google's Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) organization. Both Eremenko and Dugan worked previously at DARPA, where Eremenko originated the fractionated spacecraft concept and ran the Adaptive Vehicle Make program before heading the Tactical Technology office . The core Project Ara team at Google consisted of three people, with most of the work being done by outside contractors, such as NK Labs, a Massachusetts-based engineering firm. NK Labs then subcontracted the firm Leaflabs to do firmware development, and they later became the primary firmware developers in a direct contract with Google. The main physical concept design of the Frame and Modules was created by NewDealDesign a San Francisco based Technology design studio that was commissioned by ATAP to lead the design of the project. That was selected from 11 different configurations analyzed by the joint team.{{Cite web|url=http://www.modularandroid.com/slashdot-interviews-marti-bolivar-firmware-lead-working-on-googles-ara-modular-smartphone/|title=Slashdot Interviews Marti Bolivar, Firmware Lead Working On Google's Ara Modular Smartphone|date=2015-05-05|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-09}} The company 3D Systems was contracted to experiment with 3D printing of electrical components, which could further the goal of mass customization.

Prior to its acquisition of Motorola Mobility in 2011, Google had previously acquired some patents related to modular mobile phones from Modu.{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20064624-17.html|title=Report: Google acquires Modu's mobile patents |last=Reisinger| first=Don| publisher=CNET| date=2011-05-20| access-date=2011-05-20}} Initial exploration of this concept began in 2012 and work started on April 1, 2013. Unrelated to work done by the Ara team, Dutch designer Dave Hakkens announced the Phonebloks modular phone concept independently in September 2013. Motorola Mobility publicly announced Project Ara on October 29, 2013, and said they would be working collaboratively with Phonebloks, although the original team, consisting of internal and external resources, continued working together without any change to its original design and technology. Motorola Mobility went on a 5-month road trip throughout the United States in 2013 called "MAKEwithMOTO" to gauge consumer interest in customized phones. Interested developers, testers, or users could sign up to be Ara Scouts.{{cite web|url=http://motorola-blog.blogspot.jp/2013/10/goodbye-sticky-hello-ara.html| title=Goodbye Sticky, Hello Ara|last=Eremenko|first=Paul|work=Motorola Mobility|date=29 October 2013|access-date=2013-10-29}}

The first version of the developers' kit relied on a prototype implementation of the Ara on-device network using the Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) UniPro protocol implemented on FPGA and running over a Low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) physical layer with modules connecting via retractable pins. Subsequent versions were to be built around a much more efficient and higher performance ASIC implementation of UniPro, running over a capacitive M-PHY physical layer.{{cite web|title=Ara Developers' Conference|url=http://www.projectara.com/#ara-developers-conference|work=Project Ara website|access-date=4 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810192922/http://www.projectara.com/#ara-developers-conference|archive-date=2015-08-10|url-status=dead}} A near-working prototype of an Ara smartphone was demonstrated at Google I/O 2014, but it froze on the boot screen.{{cite web | url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/06/google-moonshot-group-demos-modular-phone-that-almost-actually-works/ | title=Google "moonshot" group demos modular phone that (almost) actually works | work=Ars Technica | date=June 26, 2014 | access-date=June 26, 2014}}

In January 2015, Google unveiled the "Spiral 2" prototype, and that it planned to test market a later revision of the system in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico later in the year. Google chose the region due to it having a large mobile phone market, and because it is still subject to U.S. telecommunications laws—allowing for continued correspondence with the FCC.{{cite web|title=Spiral 2 announced, first Project Ara model that will go on sale|url=http://www.phonearena.com/news/Spiral-2-announced-first-Project-Ara-model-that-will-go-on-sale_id64808|website=PhoneArena|access-date=29 May 2016 |date=January 14, 2015 |last=F. |first=Alan}}{{cite web|url=https://www.linux.com/news/embedded-mobile/mobile-linux/806348-googles-project-ara-open-source-smartphone-to-debut-in-puerto-rico-this-year-|title=Google's Project Ara Open Source Smartphone to Debut in the US in 2016 |publisher=linux.com| date=2015-01-28| access-date=2015-03-27}}{{cite web|title=Google Unveils Spiral 2 Project Ara Prototype, Pilot Program in Puerto Rico|url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/google-unveils-spiral-2-project-ara-prototype-pilot-program-in-puerto-rico-649118|website=NDTV|access-date=29 May 2016 |date=15 January 2015}} However, in August 2015, Google announced that the Ara pilot in Puerto Rico had been delayed indefinitely, and that the company would instead hold pilots in "a few locations" in the U.S. some time in 2016.{{cite web|title=Google delays its Project Ara modular smartphone until 2016|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/17/9166667/google-project-ara-phone-delayed|website=The Verge|access-date=29 May 2016 |date=August 17, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Project Ara won't debut in Puerto Rico after all|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/14/9156275/google-alphabet-project-ara-delayed|website=The Verge|access-date=29 May 2016 |date=August 14, 2015}}

At Google I/O 2016, the company unveiled a new development model, the "Developer Edition". The new iteration featured notable changes to the original concept; the device now consisted of a base phone with core components that cannot be upgraded, including the antenna, battery, display, sensors, and system-on-chip, and extensible with modules for adding features such as a secondary display or replacement cameras and speakers. Google announced that it planned to ship the Developer Edition in late 2016, and perform a consumer launch of Project Ara in 2017.{{cite web|title=Google's Project Ara phone no longer upgradable, new dev units ship this fall|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/05/googles-project-ara-phone-no-longer-upgradable-new-dev-unit-ship-this-fall/|website=Ars Technica|access-date=29 May 2016 |date=May 20, 2016}}

On September 2, 2016, Google confirmed that Project Ara had been cancelled.

Initial reception to an earlier but similar modular phone concept—Phonebloks—was mixed, citing possible infeasibility, lack of a working prototype, as well as other production and development concerns. Project Ara's launch followed shortly after the launch of Phonebloks and better addressed some of the production and development issues since it had OEM backing, but other issues were raised about the Project Ara modular concept.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

Potential issues with the modular concept include a tradeoff between volumetric efficiency and modularity, as the framework interface holding the device would increase overall size and weight. Eremenko says modularity would create a difference of less than 25% in size, power, and weight to components, and he believes that is an acceptable trade-off for the added flexibility.{{cite news|last=Talbot|first=David|title=Why Google's Modular Smartphone Might Actually Succeed|url=http://www.technologyreview.com/news/525386/why-googles-modular-smartphone-might-actually-succeed/|access-date=8 April 2014|newspaper=MIT Technology Review|date=7 April 2014}} The current prototype is 9.7mm thick, slightly thicker than conventional smartphones. Additional issues include regulatory approval; the FCC tests single configurations for approval, not modular configurations.{{cite web|last=Ho|first=Joshua|title=Motorola's Project Ara: Phonebloks from an OEM|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/7469/motorolas-project-ara-phonebloks-from-an-oem|work=AnandTech|access-date=29 October 2013|date=29 October 2013}} In 2014, Google said the FCC "[had] been encouraging so far".

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