Google parent Alphabet is spinning out its X research division, making its Wing and Loon projects into independent companies.

Project Loon makes balloons – one pictured in hanger – aimed at introducing Internet delivery to poor nations, while Project Wing is a drone delivery system.

Alastair Westgarth will head up Loon as CEO and James Ryan Burgess will take charge at Wing.

The two offshoots will now form part of Alphabet’s Other Bets division, which already comprises cyber-security company Chronicle, self-driving car project Waymo and life sciences division Verily.