Tech History: The Android Green Robot Almost Looked Very Different

The Android robot we know today—nicknamed “Bugdroid”—was designed in 2007 by Irina Blok, a Google graphic designer. What’s cool is that she sketched it with the idea of it being as universal and recognizable as restroom icons—simple, friendly, and instantly understood worldwide.

Early concepts of the Android mascot looked a lot more like futuristic aliens or sci-fi space creatures, which didn’t quite match Google’s vision of an accessible, everyday tech brand.

The final design was so stripped down—just a green body with antennae—that some execs worried it was too simple. But that simplicity became its power.

Even better: Google made the design open-source. Unlike Apple’s carefully guarded logo, anyone can remix or reuse Bugdroid. That’s why you’ll find it everywhere—from T-shirts and memes to massive lawn statues at Google HQ. It’s one of the rare tech logos that belongs as much to the community as it does to the company.