Everything We Know About The Apple Car
Words: Alex Woodhall
If so much is clear about recent developments within Apple, it’s that they are putting a car into development. The world’s most valuable company, with over £100 billion currently sitting in the bank, Apple are reportedly working on a number of new product lines in secret, one of which it has surfaced is definitely a car.
With Google already making moves in the automotive industry, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Apple would soon be entering the market. The project is shrouded in secrecy, but there’s been a recent flurry of leaks regarding it. Here are the few things we know about the Apple car so far…
IT’S LIKELY TO BE ELECTRIC
Apple have continually expressed interests in renewable energy and are building an $850 million solar plant to power its Californian operations. It would therefore come as no surprise if Apple rivalled Tesla in the world of electric cars. The firm have snapped up experts who had previously worked for Tesla (50 by some estimates) and are rumoured to even be looking to acquire the company before 2016 is out.
IT’S A HUGE PROJECT
An obvious one but there are reportedly hundreds of people currently involved in the development of the ‘iCar’. This isn’t just low levels or conceptual teams either. By all accounts Steve Zadesky and Johann Jungwirth, formerly of Ford and Mercedes Benz respectively, are involved significantly in Titan.
DRIVERLESS TECHNOLOGY
Google’s been making waves in driverless tech on a global scale and Britain is aiming to be a leader in allowing it on our roads. It would make sense for Apple to take a cutting-edge approach to its car, and driverless vehicles are currently at the forefront of the industry. A car registered to Apple has also been photographed with a high-tech camera rig attached, potentially early experimentation with self-driving technology; further fuelling rumours.
TITAN IS NOT NEW
Cofounder of Apple site Mac Observer, Bryan Chaffin, has stated that after speaking to his sources, he’s close to “100%” certain Apple are working on a car. And that in certain circles, it’s “a given that Apple is working on a car”. Purportedly in development for a year already, evidently Apple’s automotive endeavours aren’t anything brand new.
STEVE JOBS’ LEGACY
In an interview before his death, the inimitable Mr Jobs spoke to the New York Times, revealing, “that if he had more energy, he would have liked to take on Detroit with an Apple Car”. It’s not clear whether plans were in place during Jobs’ era or if Titan came after but either way, automotives have clearly been on the company’s mind for a while now.
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