End of car project: Apple returns self-driving licenses to California

Is this the final end for Apple’s car ambitions? Nearly six months after the end of the Apple Car project, in which the iPhone maker has invested billions of US dollars, the company has returned its license for autonomous driving on California roads, according to a report.

Advertisement

Apple doesn’t like to test anymore

As MacReports writes, approval from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which was supposed to last until April 30, 2025. “Cancelled” as of 25 September. – By telephone from Apple This is no longer valid as of September 27th. The approval applies to so-called “autonomous vehicle program manufacturer testing,” in which autonomous vehicles with experimental software are allowed to travel with a safety driver to test – or improve – the algorithms.

This would mean that Apple – after the vehicle project – would also end its ambitions in terms of autonomous driving. In the future, the company wants to focus only on iPhone integration CarPlay when it comes to cars, even if the long-awaited “CarPlay 2.0” is still not available in the first cars. If the manufacturer wishes, it should be able to display other parts of the vehicle’s surface and handle the entire dashboard, including the speedometer.

Apple’s Pro Display XDR: Dusty professional screen, expensive price

Seven years of autonomous driving

Apple has had permission to test autonomous driving for a very long time; It was awarded in 2017. Recently, there were said to be about 70 cars and 15 drivers on the road – significantly fewer than a few years ago. It was public knowledge that Apple had an interest in the region as the DMV published licensees. Apple now considers generative artificial intelligence more important than cars. Parts of the car team were moved to the area.

Apple’s vehicle project, once called “Project Titan”, did not come out of the crisis for years. Several management and strategy changes eventually led to its closure, even though the group wanted to open entirely new sales areas. The goal has fluctuated between simple electric cars and fully autonomous vehicles, which no longer even have a steering wheel. Elon Musk now wants to realize this dream through Cybercab.

(B.Sc.)