Apple are in the rumour spotlight, but this time in a whole different industry than they are known for – automobiles.
The rumours started after Apple was revealed to be behind a fleet of camera-equipped vans that have popped up around the Bay Area in recent weeks. The vans have more than a dozen cameras and what appear to be LiDAR modules for high-resolution mapping on their roof.
My guess is these vans were out doing mapping to enhance their Apple Maps modelling, but at the same could have been gathering data which could be the start of a long process of learning and developing for whats already been dubbed the “iCar”
The rumoured research lab was put together in 2014 according to the Financial Times. Apple has given the project codename “Titan” according to the Wall Street Journal. Several hundred employees are rumoured to be working in the group. Steve Zadesky, formerly of Ford, is apparently head of the project. The group is currently rumoured to be researching robotics, metals and materials relating to automobile manufacturing.
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development head Johann Jungwirth left the company for Apple late last year, there have also been reports that Apple design chief Jony Ive has been personally involved in recruiting top automotive executives, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently revealing that Apple has tried to poach engineers from the electric carmaker, offering $250,000 bonuses and 60 percent pay raises. An Apple employee told Business Insider that Tesla employees had been leaving the car company to work on an Apple project that was “too exciting to pass up” and that would “give Tesla a run for its money”
Apple’s recruitment has fuelled rumours it is working on something beyond CarPlay, moving towards its own manufactured vehicles.
Apple CEO Tim Cook and company executives have already begun to meet with potential contract manufacturers, including Canadian firm Magna Steyr. Apple however has reportedly no interest in combustion engine technology or conventional manufacturing methods. “They don’t appear to want a lot of help from carmakers” said the anonymous source.
An auto industry source has told Reuters that Apple is focused on the software. “It’s all about autonomous driving” suggesting that there is money to be made from a software operating system for a self-driving vehicle, as well as other services for autonomous driving like high-definition mapping, car-sharing and electric car recharging technologies.
Should you be expecting to see Jeremy Clarkson introduce the Stig as he throws around the rumoured all electric “iCar” around the Top gear test track anytime soon? I think not, but there certainly is enough hints around to suggest that it may be in the pipeline.