1What to Know About Apple Self-Driving Car Development Efforts
Apple’s autonomous car ambitions are among the worst-kept secrets in Silicon Valley. The company has for years been rumored to be working on car technology, and some of its executives have even hinted at it. Apple has hired hundreds of car engineers and there are reports all over California of secret teams of Apple employees working on vehicle technology. Those rumors were bolstered April 14, when the California Department of Motor Vehicles announced that Apple was awarded a permit to test self-driving cars in the state. Exactly what Apple has planned is unknown, but that it will begin testing cars seems to confirm many of the rumors. This eWEEK slide show will discuss Apple’s rumored car ambitions and the things the company reportedly is doing to hit the road.
2Is It Actually a Car?
3Or Is It Self-Driving Car Technology?
4Apple Is Poaching Tesla Talent
5Augmented Reality a Critical Feature?
6Apple’s iOS Is at the Core of Its Car Technology
Apple’s iOS is said to be the foundation for the company’s car technology. Apple is rumored to be building a car operating system that’s based on iOS and runs third-party apps to enhance the user experience. Apple also will bring its own apps, such as Apple Music, to the vehicle, according to reports.
7Autonomous Cars Seem Likely
It’s perhaps no surprise Apple is reportedly working on self-driving car technology. Autonomous vehicles are slated to hit the road within the next few years from companies including Alphabet’s Waymo, and Apple reportedly wants to be another provider. Exactly how the technology will work, however, remains to be seen.
8Rumors Say Apple Vehicles Will Be All Electric
Apple is one of the more outspoken companies in the world about its responsibility to the environment, and the company is investing heavily in renewable technologies. So perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that rumors suggest Apple is planning clean tech for its vehicle technology, ditching gas for electric.
9Apple Has Looked Into Acquisitions
10It’s Still Years Away
11Even Apple Doesn’t Know if It Will Build a Car Tech Business
There’s also the chance all this is for nothing. Apple reportedly will decide this year whether to move forward with its car technology or shelve the idea. If the project makes encouraging progress the company will likely move forward. If not, it might put the idea on ice.