Apple has been working on getting its feet in self-driving electric car production for a long time now. In 2014, it initiated its Project Titan which was rumored to be shelved in 2016, and the causes were numerous, including internal politics, leadership issues, and various other development problems. Then this project again resurfaced when in 2018, Apple hired former Tesla engineer Doug Field. This gave rise to speculations that Apple is still considering developing an electric car.
In 2020, the Apple Car Project saw a change in leadership dynamics as John Giannandrea, the chief of AI and machine learning at Apple took over the position when Bob Mansfield retired. And since then, the tumors have accelerated about the upcoming Apple Car.
The rumors solidified in December 2020.
Reuters reported that Apple’s car plan is still on and the company is aiming to launch its first car in 2024. However, Apple’s analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the company will take several more years to come up with its car, and according to the estimates, this is likely to be around 2025 to 2027.
Apple is Looking for Partners.
Currently, Apple is actively looking for partners in manufacturing to produce its electric cars. The company is in talks with various automobile makers and even held discussions with the Korean automobile giant, Hyundai.
Next-level battery technology
Apple is reported to be in the works to develop a ‘monocell’ battery design. It will bulk up the individual battery cells which will create ample free space inside the battery pack by the removal of pouches, modules, and other elements that hold together the battery materials. In theory, it means that more active material will be able to be packed in a small, packaged battery. Sources claim it to be a ‘next-level’ design which is almost akin to the experience of seeing the iPhone for the first time.
A Korean news outlet suggested that amongst a probable partnership deal, Apple has also talked about this battery technology with Hyundai.
The Aim
Apple’s car team has said that the company aims to develop autonomous vehicles in which the user will just have to feed the input about their desired destination and nothing else. The car will take them everywhere they want with very little or almost zero engagement from them.
As per MacRumors, “Apple has been granted a permit from the California DMV” for testing autonomous vehicles on roads used by the general public. Vehicles including Lexus SUVs with radar and sensors have already been spotted on the roads. There is a likelihood that Apple will soon lease a testing site in Arizona.
I’m Ava Paul, an experienced news website author with a special focus on the entertainment section. Over the past five years, I have worked in various positions of media and communication at World Stock Market. My experience has given me extensive knowledge in writing, editing, researching and reporting on stories related to the entertainment industry.
