Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has been granted a patent (number US 11654858 B1) for a restraint system for a vehicle.
About the patent
Apple thinks it can improve on conventional passenger restarting systems that include airbags. The tech giant’s idea is for an Apple Car seats to be positioned in the passenger compartment. At least one of the seats is arranged in a front row and faces rearward. At least one other of the seats is arranged in a rear row and faces forward toward the front row.
The deployable restraint system includes a panel and a panel actuator that deploys the panel. The panel extends inboard along the roof when stored. The panel is placed in tension between one of the sides and the roof when deployed by the panel actuator.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “A deployable restraint system comprising a reaction panel, a panel actuator that deploys the reaction panel, a cushion, and a cushion actuator that deploys the cushion. When both the reaction panel and the cushion are deployed, the reaction panel is configured to transfer force from the cushion to a roof and only one of two sides of a compartment. A lower end of the reaction panel is configured to couple to the one of the two sides with a tether that is moved by the panel actuator.”
When might we see an Apple Car?
I predict that a full self-driving Apple Car won’t roll out until 2027 or beyond. As for pricing, your average person likely won’t be able to afford the vehicle. According to Bloomberg, Apple’s consumer vehicle will start at “under US$100,000.” However, I expect that price to be barely under $100,000.
Other rumors said that Apple wanted its vehicle to come without a steering wheel or pedals, but has decided that such a plan isn’t feasible at this time. And I’ll be shocked if such an automobile is feasible by 2027.
Here’s a round-up of other rumors about the Apple Car:
° Apple currently plans to develop a vehicle that lets drivers conduct other tasks — say, watch a movie or play a game — on a freeway and be alerted with ample time to switch over to manual control if they reach city streets or encounter inclement weather.
° It will use the cloud for some AI processing.
° Apple might offer a remote command center that could assist drivers and control cars from afar during emergencies.
° Apple may also offer its own insurance program.
° Apple still hasn’t dialed in on a design for its first vehicle and the team is still working in a “pre-prototype” stage.
