Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has filed for a patent (number 20220270374) for a vehicle video system to aid in navigation. If/when an Apple Car arrives, it will almost be a self-driving (or at least partially self-driving) automobile.
About the patent filing
In the patent filing Apple notes that automated control systems for vehicles may navigate to a general area. For example, automated control systems may navigate to a general area as designated by a point on a map.
However, Apple says that navigation using information such as maps is not well-suited to designating a destination at a very specific location, such as the location of an entry door to a building or a place where a person is standing. The company’s idea is for a video system with an interactive interface to indicate or select a location from surroundings of the vehicle, for example, a desired drop-off location, selecting a parking spot, or indicating an object to avoid.
Summary of the patent filing
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “Images are obtained using cameras mounted on a vehicle, and at least a portion of the obtained images are displayed on a screen. Motion of the vehicle can be controlled such that it moves toward a physical destination selected from images obtained using cameras mounted on a vehicle.”
When might we see an Apple Car?
On. Nov. 18, 2021, Bloomberg reported that Apple is accelerating development on its “Apple Car.” The article says the electric vehicle will be self-driving and could roll out in 2025.
What’s more, in a note to clients — as noted by AppleInsider — investment bank Wedbush says Apple is likely to announce a strategic electric vehicle partnership in 2022 to lay the groundwork for an “Apple Car” release in 2025.
