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Rumors about a so-called Apple Car have been with us for many years. Now there are new details.
According to various sources, work on an Apple Car began in 2014 - since then, the project has undergone several changes. There were rumors that Apple had abandoned its plans for a complete vehicle and was instead focusing on the software. But in 2020, the rumors resurfaced. There are now numerous indications that Apple wants to bring its own vehicle onto the market. As Bloomberg now claimed, Apple has been working on two vehicle paths, one with limited self-driving capabilities and a second with full self-driving functionality that requires no human intervention.
Apple Car: Chip consists mainly of neural processors
The company will reportedly now pursue this second path under the leadership of Kevin Lynch, who joined the project earlier this year. Apple has reached a "milestone" in the development of the self-driving car, completing core work on the chip that will power the first car.
The Apple Car chip is the most advanced component Apple has developed in-house and consists primarily of neural processors capable of processing the artificial intelligence required for autonomous driving. The chip's capabilities mean it will run hot and will likely require the development of a sophisticated cooling system. The hope is to create a vehicle that will keep customers from getting tired on long drives. But building a real car - for an auto industry outsider like Apple - will require partnerships. The company has been negotiating with several manufacturers and is considering possibly building the vehicle in the US.
Apple actually wants to design a car that has no steering wheel or pedals and whose interior is geared towards self-driving. Bloomberg reports that Apple is considering a similar design to Canoo's lifestyle vehicle, with passengers sitting on the sides of the vehicle facing each other. However, Apple is still discussing installing a steering wheel, which could be necessary to allow passengers to take control in an emergency situation. The goal is to make the car safer than Waymo and Tesla's vehicles - with redundancies and fail-safes to avoid breakdowns. The vehicle will be electrically powered.
The market launch could take place as early as 2025
Apple is discussing a charging system compatible with the combined charging system, allowing owners of Apple vehicles to use a global network of charging stations. Using Lexus SUVs equipped with LiDAR scanners and other devices, Apple has been testing its self-driving system. Bloomberg reports that Apple will test the new processor the company has developed along with new sensors for self-driving cars. It is said that Apple aims to launch its self-driving car in four years, which would mean a launch around 2025. Whether Apple can meet that goal depends on whether the company can develop a fully self-driving system. If it fails to meet the goals, Apple could delay the launch or sell a car that is less technologically advanced. The timeline is ambitious, so Apple is increasing its hiring to meet the deadlines. (Photo by VanderWolf Images / Bigstockphoto)
