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Apple is reportedly targeting the introduction of an autonomous passenger car in 2024, which could include a breakthrough in battery technology. The Reuters news agency reported, citing several insiders.
Development of the car itself, which began in 2014 as part of “Project Titan,” is consequently well advanced, two people familiar with the matter said. A core element is the newly developed batteries, which could offer significantly lower costs with a longer range, another person said.
The report leaves open whether the supposedly planned car will be a mass-production vehicle modeled on Tesla or rather autonomous shuttles (“people transporters”). The US group declined to comment.
Apple is hiring high-profile auto experts
It wouldn’t surprise the industry if Apple is reviewing previous plans for its own vehicle. In the summer, SPIEGEL reported in a report on the future of German car suppliers on indications that Apple could revive its iCar project.
Californians have recruited a number of top-notch auto experts in the past two years, including Michael Schwekutsch, an engineer from Germany who previously researched electric motors for Tesla. “Apple’s recruiters are looking to the auto industry,” the top manager of a US manufacturer told SPIEGEL. But it is not yet clear what the group plans to do.
As part of “Project Titan”, Apple initially followed the approach of building your own car. Meanwhile, the group shifted its focus to software. In 2018, former Apple employee Doug Field returned from Tesla to the maker of the iPhone and laid off 190 members of the Titan team a year later. Meanwhile, Apple also had talks with Magna International about producing a car. Initially, a statement from Magna was also unavailable.
According to Reuters, auto parts are likely to come from suppliers. This includes the lidar sensors the car uses to get a sense of its surroundings. It is not clear who will be responsible for assembling the vehicle. According to the news agency, informed circles said that Apple could work with another partner here.
In any case, it cannot be ruled out that Californians will end up happy with an autonomous driving system that would be installed in cars from a traditional manufacturer. That is also the scenario that is considered likely in the German auto industry. Additionally, two insiders said the corona pandemic could delay plans until 2025 or later.
