Apple granted patent for a sunroof for an Apple Car

Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has been granted a patent (US 11731555 B1) for “movable panel assemblies” for a vehicle. In other words, a sunroof.

About the patent

In the patent Apple notes that some automobile windows, such as windows incorporated in automobile doors, are movable to an open position to admit air into the interior of the vehicle. In order to admit additional light and air into the interior, some fixed-roof automobiles include a movable panel known as a sunroof. 

Sunroofs come in many styles, with the most popular styles incorporating a sliding mechanism that moves a sunroof panel rearward out of a sunroof opening, either to a compartment internal to the roof of the vehicle or to a position external to the roof of the vehicle. Apple’s patent tells how the company would incorporate a sunroof on its own vehicle.

Summary of the patent

Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “A vehicle includes a roof panel, an opening defined by the roof panel and a movable panel assembly that is configured to move between a closed position and an open position with respect to the opening. A first track is located above the roof panel at a first lateral side of the movable panel, and a second track located above the roof panel at a second lateral side of the movable panel, wherein the movable panel is supported by the first track and the second track for movement between the closed position and the open position.”

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.