Apple is reportedly moving forward with its self-driving car project and is set to launch productions of the vehicle in 2024.
According to a Reuters report, the iPhone maker’s planned autonomous car will include its own breakthrough battery technology.
The company’s automotive efforts, called ‘Project Titan’, reportedly started in 2014. However, it never publicly acknowledged it. But in 2016, the project was scaled down and the company refocused its efforts on developing software that could be licensed out to car manufacturers instead. Last year, the company cut 200 employees from its autonomous car team.
Now, according to Reuters, Apple has made enough progress in this project and has green-signalled the project once again. It noted Apple aims to start production of its vehicles in 2024, however, there might still be some COVID-19-related delays.
The report also noted that Apple’s strategy is centred on a new battery design that could “radically” reduce the cost of batteries and increase the vehicle’s range.
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Reuters also said that Apple is relying on third parties to provide some components of its self-driving tech, including its LIDAR systems.
In addition, it remains unclear as to who will assemble Apple’s cars. Reuters noted that the company might rely on a manufacturing partner to develop the vehicles. But it also pointed out that there is a chance that the iPhone-maker will decide to reduce the scope of its efforts to just creating autonomous driving system for a traditional automaker rather than building an Apple-branded car.
