I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: I don’t think we’ll ever see a full-fledged “Apple Car” manufactured by Apple. Instead, I think we’ll see Apple work with current car manufacturers to see an increasing implementation of its CarPlay technology.
A report this week from The Information‘s Wayne Ma only made me more certain that Apple won’t make its own vehicle. The article is a must-read, but here are some highlights:
° The Apple Car may not have a steering wheel or brake pedals.
° Designers are testing a trunk compartment that rises for easy access, and then automatically lowers when not in use.
° Designers are experimenting with large seat-back screens that rise and lower.
° Apple’s former design chief Jony Ive has remained involved with the project as a consultant and wants the tech giant to “learn into the weirdness of the vehicle’s design.”
° Prototypes of the Apple Car have only been partially successful in providing acceptable self-driving performance. Apple’s test vehicles, which are modified Lexus SUVs, struggled to navigate streets near its Silicon Valley headquarters without the maps, smacking into curbs and sometimes having trouble staying in their lanes while crossing intersections.
° Craig Federigihi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, is skeptical about the project.
° In fact, there has been skepticism from upper management as a whole — and CEO Tim Cook has “distanced” himself from the product designs.
If the Information report is true, I admire Apple’s willingness to think weird …. er, think different …. About an Apple Car. However, I think there are enough issues that Apple should sideline the project the way it did with the once-anticipated Apple HDTV. (However, I think an Apple HDTV makes more sense as part of its ecosystem than an Apple Car.)
While we’re on wild rumors about the Apple Car, a May 20 report from VR Scout says the rumored Apple Car could feature VR technology and no windows.
Quoting Apple patents filings involving the rumored vehicle, here’s what the article says: Instead of conventional windows, passengers would view the outside world by using their VR headset to access cameras mounted on the outside of the vehicle. The technology could also be used to watch videos and read books in a stabilized environment as well as to conduct virtual meetings while on the road.
As I’ve said before, I think the logistics of building its own self-driving vehicle is a step too far for Apple. Maybe I’m jealous because I wouldn’t be able to afford one.
But if an Apple Car ever does roll off the line, I’m betting it will have windows, brakes, and a steering wheel.
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