apple steps back its self-driving EV pushing a less-ambitious launch back to 2026
Apple scales back its self-driving car
UPDATE: Apple Inc has scaled back its ambitious self-driving EV production, pushing its debut back to 2026. The American technology company sought to build its first completely autonomous vehicle from the scratch through its automotive project known as ‘Project Titan’. However, according to reports, the vehicle will not be autonomous, as a fully independent vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals isn’t feasible with current technology.
The new Apple vehicle plan sees a less-ambitious design that will feature a steering wheel and pedals and only support full autonomous capabilities on highways, according to Bloomberg. The statement said the company will develop an automobile that facilitates drivers to be flexible and perform other tasks on a freeway while the car will notify them when they need to switch over to manual control.
images by Vanarama
VANARAMA USED REAL-LIFE APPLE PATENTS
There have been whispers for the past few years about the development of an Apple car, with little concrete information as to when, or if, one will ever be realized. back in 2015, the wall street journal reported that apple had several hundred employees secretly working towards creating an electric vehicle. Later in 2016, Bloomberg said that staff from the tech giant’s ‘car team’ had been reassigned and let go.
In the meantime, Vanarama automotive experts has come up with a vision of how the car might look like based on the real-life patents apple has filed to inform the design.
INSPIRED BY THE TESLA CYBERTRUCK?
‘Using genuine patents filed by apple inc., we’ve created a vision of the anticipated apple car and how it might look on launch,’ reads the Vanarama dedicated site.
The Vanarama concept car seems to be inspired by the tesla Cybertruck with its single glass roof that turns also into the windows, sunroof, and windshields. The vehicle features door handles modeled after the iPhone’s side buttons, coach doors, and a grill that resembles the mac pro. This last detail has left some wondering about its use, as electric cars don’t need the same level of air flow as ones powered by an internal combustion engine.
The interiors feature a large infotainment display extending across the entire front dash and a dedicated Siri screen on the wheel. The concept showcases three pedals, hinting to manual transmission, another point that creates confusion as electric car powertrains don’t come with a gearbox.
The renders show that the front seats have the ability to swivel 180º, hinting at how the car would be able to drive itself. the chairs are not upholstered, and there’s not even a carpet, leaving the interiors feeling a bit austere.
Vanarama says that Apple patents haven’t revealed the exact shape of the car; therefore, these renders are just an interpretation of what the car might look like. apple refrains from commenting on the project.
single glass roof that turns also into the windows, sunroof, and windshields
coach doors and swiveling front chairs
no carpet or upholstery render the interiors quite sterile
project info:
name: apple car concept images
company: Vanarama
juliana neira I designboom
dec 07, 2022
