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{{Short description|Electric and self-driving car research and development project by Apple
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{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
From 2014 until
In February 2024, Apple executives canceled their plans to release the autonomous electric vehicle, instead shifting resources on the project to the company's [[generative artificial intelligence]] efforts.<ref name="Gurman2024-02-27">{{Cite news |last=Gurman |first=Mark
== Car details ==
The car project cycled through multiple designs over the years. Teams at Apple outside of the development project were involved in its development.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Gurman |first1=Mark |last2=Bennett |first2=Drake |date=March 6, 2024 |title=How Apple Sank About $1 Billion a Year Into a Car It Never Built |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-03-06/apple-car-s-crash-design-details-tim-cook-s-indecision-failed-tesla-deal |url-access=limited |access-date=March 11, 2024 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |language=en}}</ref> People from the [[Apple silicon]] team were heavily involved in the car to design the processor used for its autonomy. At the time of cancelation, the chip was nearly finished, and had the equivalent processing power of four [[M2 Ultra|M2 Ultras]] combined. The [[microkernel]] for the car was named "safetyOS".<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Gurman |first=Mark |date=March 11, 2024 |title=Apple Still All-In on CarPlay After Auto Push Sputters |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/live-blog/2024-03-11/apple-car-canceled--live-q-a-with-bloomberg-s-mark-gurman |url-access=registration |access-date=March 17, 2024 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P]] |type=Q&A}}</ref>
== Proposed collaborations and acquisitions ==
During the [[2008–2010 automotive industry crisis]], with car companies nearing collapse, Apple SVP [[Tony Fadell]] proposed to Jobs the idea of buying [[General Motors]] at a reduced price. The idea was abandoned partly because the company felt that it would be a bad look, and partly because of its focus on the [[iPhone]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Satariano |first=Adam |date=November 4, 2015 |title=Steve Jobs Considered Building an Apple Car in 2008 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-04/steve-jobs-considered-building-an-apple-car-in-2008 |url-access=registration |access-date=January 12, 2016 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]]}}</ref>
In 2014, with renewed interest in the project, Apple's head of corporate development Adrian Perica met with [[Elon Musk]] several times with an interest in acquiring Tesla<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, shut down these early negotiations,<ref name=":0" /> partly due to Apple's CFO (and former GM Europe CFO) [[Luca Maestri]] saying how difficult the car business was.<ref name=":1" /> Despite the failure, years later, then-hardware chief [[Dan Riccio]] and former Ford engineer and iPhone engineer Steve Zadesky returned to Musk to discuss ideas for a collaboration. A few more years later, as Tesla struggled to make its [[Model 3]] sedan, Musk attempted to restart talks with Apple, but said Cook wouldn't meet.<ref name=":0" />
Attempts to partner with [[Mercedes-Benz]] advanced somewhat further than those with Tesla.<ref name="NYT May 2018 VW partnership" /><ref name=":0" /> The plan was for Mercedes-Benz to manufacture the car and Apple to also provide Mercedes-Benz its self-driving platform and UI for other cars.<ref name=":0" /> Apple pulled out partly because it had confidence that it could successfully manufacture a car themselves,<ref name=":0" /> and partly over disagreements over controlling the user's experience and data.<ref name="NYT May 2018 VW partnership" /> The talks lasted for more than a year.<ref name="NYT May 2018 VW partnership" />
The closest talks came to acquiring a car company were with [[McLaren Group|McLaren]]. Some executives hoped that [[Jony Ive]] would be closer to Apple with that acquisition, following his reduced involvement in the company.<ref name=":0" /> [[BMW]] and [[Canoo]], among others, were also in exploratory talks for an acquisition.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Kane |first=Sean |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Exclusive: Apple held talks with EV startup Canoo in 2020 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/12/22225026/apple-canoo-acquisition-investment-electric-car-goev |access-date=August 7, 2021 |work=The Verge |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="NYT May 2018 VW partnership" /> Apple also met with [[Nissan]] and [[BYD Auto]].<ref name="NYT May 2018 VW partnership" /> Apple was concerned that integrating an automaker would be a disaster internally.<ref name=":0" /> Apple briefly partnered with [[Magna Steyr]], a maker of low-volume vehicles for the project.<ref name="NYT May 2018 VW partnership" />
In 2018, Apple signed a deal with [[Volkswagen]] to make an autonomous shuttle for Apple employees at their new headquarters, [[Apple Park]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name="NYT May 2018 VW partnership" /> Volkswagen's [[Volkswagen Transporter (T6)|T6 transport vans]] were to be modified, keeping the chassis and wheels, but with replaced dashboards, seats, and other components.<ref name="NYT May 2018 VW partnership" /> The deal, an interim effort, was shut down by Doug Field, the head of the project, who saw it as a distraction.<ref name=":0" />
== History ==
=== 2014–2015 ===
The project was rumored to have been approved by Apple CEO [[Tim Cook]] in late 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Chuck |date=February 14, 2015 |title=Hitting the Brakes on Apple's Electric Car |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckjones/2015/02/14/hitting-the-brakes-on-apples-electric-car |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 19, 2015 |work=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> For the project, Apple was rumored to have hired Johann Jungwirth, the former president and chief executive of [[Mercedes-Benz]] Research and Development North America, as well as at least one transmission engineer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Flanagan |first=Will |date=February 13, 2015 |title=A Titanic Announcement: Apple's Making Cars |url=http://chicagoinno.streetwise.co/2015/02/13/apple-cars-everything-you-need-to-know-about-project-titan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215161807/http://chicagoinno.streetwise.co/2015/02/13/apple-cars-everything-you-need-to-know-about-project-titan/ |archive-date=February 15, 2015 |access-date=February 19, 2015 |work=Chicago Inno}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kahn |first=Jordan |date=February 19, 2015 |title=Revealed: The
In February 2015, Apple board member [[Mickey Drexler]] stated that Apple co-founder and CEO [[Steve Jobs]] had plans to design and build a car and that discussions about the concept surfaced around the time that [[Tesla Motors]] debuted [[Tesla Roadster (2008)|its first car]] in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Colt |first=Sam |date=February 9, 2015 |title=Apple Board Member: 'Steve Jobs Was Gonna Design an iCar' |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/mickey-drexler-steve-jobs-was-gonna-design-an-icar-2015-2 |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 4, 2015 |work=[[Business Insider]]
In August 2015, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that Apple were meeting with officials from [[GoMentum Station]],<ref name="guardian-2015-08-14" /> a testing ground for connected and autonomous vehicles at the former [[Concord Naval Weapons Station]] in [[Concord, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vision: GoMentum Station |url=http://gomentumstation.net/vision |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225202831/http://gomentumstation.net/vision/ |archive-date=February 25, 2015 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |website=[[GoMentum Station]]}}</ref> In September 2015, there were reports that Apple were meeting with [[self-driving car]] experts from the [[California Department of Motor Vehicles]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Mark |date=September 18, 2015 |title=Apple
In October 2015, Tim Cook stated about the car industry: "It would seem like there will be massive change in that industry, massive change. You may not agree with that. That's what I think... We'll see what we do in the future. I do think that the industry is at an inflection point for massive change." Cook enumerated ways that the modern descendants of the [[Ford Model T]] would be shaken to the very chassis—the growing importance of software in the car of the future, the rise of autonomous vehicles, and the shift from an [[internal combustion engine]] to electrification.<ref>{{Cite
In November 2015, various websites reported that suspected Apple front SixtyEight Research had attended an auto body conference in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2015 |title=Shadowy Group Linked to Apple's 'Project Titan' Spotted at Auto Industry Conference |url=http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/11/09/shadowy-group-linked-to-apples-project-titan-spotted-at-auto-industry-conference |website=[[Appleinsider]]}}</ref> Also in November 2015, after unknown EV startup [[Faraday Future]] announced a $1 billion U.S. factory project,<ref>{{Cite
=== 2016 ===
In 2016, [[Tesla Motors]] CEO [[Elon Musk]] stated that Apple will probably make a compelling electric car: "It's pretty hard to hide something if you hire over a thousand engineers to do it."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cellan-Jones |first=Rory |date=January 11, 2016 |title=Tesla Chief Elon Musk Says Apple Is Making an Electric Car |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35280633 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |
''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported on July 25, 2016, that Apple had convinced retired senior hardware engineering executive [[Bob Mansfield]] to return and take over the Titan project.<ref name="W">{{Cite news |last=Wakabayashi |first=Daisuke |date=July 25, 2016 |title=Apple Taps Bob Mansfield to Oversee Car Project |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-taps-bob-mansfield-to-oversee-car-project-1469458580 |url-access=subscription |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Zac |date=July 25, 2016 |title=WSJ: Apple recruits retired hardware expert Bob Mansfield to lead Apple Car project |url=https://9to5mac.com/2016/07/25/apple-car-bob-mansfield |website=[[9to5Mac]]}}</ref> A few days later, on July 29, ''[[Bloomberg Technology]]'' reported that Apple had hired Dan Dodge, the founder and former chief executive officer of [[QNX]], [[BlackBerry Ltd.]]’s automotive software division. According to ''Bloomberg'', Dodge's hiring heralded a shift in emphasis at Apple's Project Titan, in which the company will prioritize creating software for autonomous vehicles. However, the story said that Apple would continue to develop a vehicle of its own.<ref>{{Cite news |
The following week, reports surfaced that [[Magna International]], a contract vehicle manufacturer, had a small team working at Apple's Sunnyvale lab.<ref>{{Cite
=== 2017 ===
After no new reports, car project news flared up again in mid-April 2017, as word spread that Apple was permitted to test autonomous vehicles on California roads.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawkins |first=Andrew J. |date=April 14, 2017 |title=Apple just received a permit to test self-driving cars in California |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/14/15303338/apple-autonomous-vehicle-testing-permit-california |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> In mid-June, [[Tim Cook]] in an interview with ''[[Bloomberg TV]]'' said Apple was "focusing on autonomous systems" but not necessarily leading to an actual Apple car product, leaving speculation about Apple's role in the convergence of three disruptive "vectors of change": autonomous systems, electric vehicles and ride-sharing services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=June 13, 2017 |title=Tim Cook says self-driving car tech 'incredibly exciting,' Apple may or may not make a car |url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/06/13/apple-car-tim-cook-confirmation |access-date=March 2, 2024 |website=[[
In mid-August, various sources reported that the car project was focusing on autonomous systems, now expected to test its technology in the real world using a company-operated inter-campus shuttle service between the main Infinite Loop campus in Cupertino and various Silicon Valley offices, including the new Apple Park.<ref>{{Cite news |last=
October 2016 reports claimed the Titan project has a 2017 deadline to determine its fate - prove its practicality and viability, set a final direction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fingas |first=Roger |date=October 17, 2016 |title='Apple Car' project to choose new direction in late 2017 - report |url=http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/10/17/apple-car-project-to-choose-new-direction-in-late-2017---report |access-date=March 2, 2024 |website=[[Apple Insider]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite
In November 2017, Apple employees Yin Zhou and Oncel Tuzel published a paper on VoxelNet, which uses a [[convolutional neural network]] to detect three-dimensional objects using [[lidar]].<ref>{{Cite arXiv |eprint=1711.06396 |class=cs.CV |
Transportation/tech website ''[[Jalopnik]]'' reported in late November that Apple was recruiting automotive test engineering and tech talent for autonomous systems work and appeared to be secretly leasing, via third parties, a former Fiat Chrysler proving grounds site in Surprise, Arizona (originally Wittman).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Felton |first=Ryan |date=November 28, 2017 |title=Apple Might Be Leasing Chrysler's Old Proving Grounds To Test Autonomous Car Technology |url=https://jalopnik.com/apple-might-be-leasing-chryslers-old-proving-grounds-to-1820782763 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806111852/https://jalopnik.com/apple-might-be-leasing-chryslers-old-proving-grounds-to-1820782763 |archive-date=August 6, 2018 |access-date=November 29, 2017 |website=[[Jalopnik]]}}</ref> Also in 2017, ''The New York Times'' suggested that Apple had stopped developing its self-driving car.<ref name=J/> In response to such reports, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged publicly that year that the company was working on autonomous-car technology.<ref name=D/>
=== 2018 ===
In January 2018, the company registered 27 self-driving vehicles with California's Department of Motor Vehicles.<ref name=D/>
While Apple
On July 7, 2018, a former Apple employee was arrested by the [[FBI]] for allegedly stealing trade secrets about Apple's self-driving car project.<ref name=D/><ref name="A">{{Cite
▲While Apple does its best to keep its autonomous vehicles plans secret,<ref name=A/><ref name=B/> regulatory filings do provide some factual insight into its activities. In September 2018, Apple was reportedly in third place in the number of California autonomous vehicle permits with 70, behind [[General Motors|GM]]'s [[Cruise Automation|Cruise]] (175) and [[Alphabet (company)|Alphabet]]'s [[Waymo]] (88).<ref name="B">{{Cite news |title=Apple's autonomous vehicle fleet swells 27% in four months |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/11/apple-autonomous-vehicle-test-fleet-california-70 |access-date=September 11, 2018 |work=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>
In August 2018, Doug Field, formerly senior vice president of engineering at Tesla,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=July 2, 2018 |title=Tesla engineering leader Doug Field has left the company |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/02/tesla-engineering-leader-doug-field-departs.html |access-date=October 21, 2019 |work=[[CNBC]] |publisher=[[NBCUniversal]]}}</ref> became the leader of Apple's Titan team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Chance |date=August 9, 2018 |title=After stint at Tesla, Doug Field returns to Apple to work on Project Titan w/ Bob Mansfield |url=https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/09/doug-field-returns-to-apple |access-date=October 21, 2019 |website=9to5Mac}}</ref><ref name="CNBC January 24, 2019" />
▲On July 7, 2018, a former Apple employee was arrested by the [[FBI]] for allegedly stealing trade secrets about Apple's self-driving car project.<ref name=D/><ref name="A">{{Cite web |last=Kadhim Shubber and Tim Bradshaw |date=July 10, 2018 |title=Apple self-driving car secrets allegedly stolen |url=https://www.ft.com/content/fa18f5b4-847e-11e8-a29d-73e3d454535d |access-date=October 15, 2018 |website=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref> He was charged by federal prosecutors.<ref name="G">{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2018 |title=Apple employee 'stole driverless car secrets' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44793244 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref><ref name="D">{{Cite magazine |last=Klint Finley |date=July 10, 2018 |title=Ex-Apple Employee Accused of Stealing Self-Driving-Car Tech |url=https://www.wired.com/story/ex-apple-employee-accused-of-stealing-self-driving-car-tech |access-date=October 15, 2018 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]}}</ref> The criminal complaint against the former employee revealed that at that time,<ref>{{Cite web |last=David Silver |date=July 18, 2018 |title=Apple And Zoox Show How Stealth And Learning Are in Tension On Self-Driving Cars |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidsilver/2018/07/18/for-self-driving-companies-like-apple-stealth-and-learning-are-often-in-tension/ |access-date=October 15, 2018 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> Apple still had yet to openly discuss any of its self-driving research,<ref name="C" /> with around 5,000 employees disclosed on the project.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jillian D'Onfro |date=July 10, 2018 |title=New details about Apple's autonomous driving technology revealed in criminal complaint against ex-engineer |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/10/ex-apple-employee-charged-with-stealing-autonomous-car-trade-secrets.html |access-date=October 15, 2018 |publisher=[[CNBC]]}}</ref><ref name="E">{{Cite news |date=July 11, 2018 |title=Ex-Apple engineer, accused of stealing driverless car secrets for Chinese firm, busted at San Jose airport |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/07/11/business/ex-apple-engineer-accused-stealing-driverless-car-secrets-chinese-firm-busted-san-jose-airport/ |access-date=October 15, 2018 |work=[[The Japan Times]] |publisher=Bloomberg L.P.}}</ref><ref name="C">{{Cite news |last=Allyson Chiu |date=July 11, 2018 |title=Ex-Apple engineer arrested on his way to China, charged with stealing company's autonomous car secrets |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/07/11/ex-apple-engineer-arrested-on-his-way-to-china-charged-with-stealing-companys-autonomous-car-secrets/?noredirect=on |access-date=October 15, 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>
In August 2018, there were reports about an Apple patent of a system that warns riders ahead of time about what an autonomous car would do, purportedly to alleviate the discomfort of surprise.<ref name="J">{{Cite
▲In August 2018, there were reports about an Apple patent of a system that warns riders ahead of time about what an autonomous car would do, purportedly to alleviate the discomfort of surprise.<ref name="J">{{Cite web |last=Todd Haselton |date=August 21, 2018 |title=Apple has an idea for self-driving cars to tell riders what they're about to do so they don't get nervous |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/21/apple-self-driving-car-patent-predicts-future-moves.html |publisher=[[CNBC]]}}</ref>
=== 2019 ===
In January 2019, Apple laid off more than 200 employees from their 'Project Titan' autonomous vehicle team.<ref name="CNBC January 24, 2019">{{Cite
In June 2019, Apple acquired autonomous vehicle startup [[Drive.ai]].<ref>{{Cite
=== 2020 ===
In early December, [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] reported that Apple artificial intelligence lead [[John Giannandrea]] is overseeing Apple Car development as prior lead [[Bob Mansfield]] has retired.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clover |first=Juli |date=December 8, 2020 |title=AI Chief John Giannandrea Takes Over Apple Car Project |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2020/12/08/apple-car-join-giannandrea |access-date=December 8, 2020 |website=[[MacRumors]]}}</ref> A few weeks later, [[Reuters]] reported that Apple was working towards a possible launch date of 2024 according to two unnamed insiders.<ref name="reuters-2024" />
=== 2021 ===
▲On January 8, the ''[[Korea Economic Daily]]'' reported that [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]] was in early discussions with Apple to develop and produce self-driving electric cars jointly.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Do |first1=Byung-Uk |last2=Kim |first2=Il-Gue |date=January 8, 2021 |title=Hyundai Motor in early talks with Apple on EV tie-up; shares surge |url=https://www.kedglobal.com/newsView/ked202101080003 |work=[[Korea Economic Daily]]}}</ref> On January 12, The Verge Reported Apple held talks with EV startup [[Canoo]] in 2020. The two companies discussed options ranging from investment to an acquisition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Kane |first=Sean |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Exclusive: Apple held talks with EV startup Canoo in 2020 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/12/22225026/apple-canoo-acquisition-investment-electric-car-goev |access-date=August 7, 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> Some weeks later, in late January, Apple announced some upper-level engineering changes, leading some Apple-watchers to speculate if Dan Riccio's "new chapter at Apple"<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Dan Riccio begins a new chapter at Apple |date=January 25, 2021 |publisher=Apple Inc. |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/01/dan-riccio-begins-a-new-chapter-at-apple/ |access-date=February 4, 2021 |website=[[Apple Inc.]]}}</ref> might indicate leadership of the Titan project (or something altogether unrelated, such as augmented/virtual reality headset or deluxe noise-cancelling headphones).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple shuffles hardware execs to make room for a mysterious new project |url=https://www.engadget.com/apple-hardware-svp-224019387.html |access-date=February 4, 2021 |website=[[Engadget]] |date=January 25, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> By early February, it appeared that Apple was close to a $3.59B deal with Hyundai to use its [[Kia Motors]]' [[West Point, Georgia]] manufacturing plant for the car,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ong |first=Danielle |date=February 3, 2021 |title=Apple Car By 2024? Hyundai, Kia Stocks Surge As Apple Deal Closes In |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/apple-car-2024-hyundai-kia-stocks-surge-apple-deal-closes-3137348 |access-date=February 4, 2021 |website=[[International Business Times]]}}</ref> a fully autonomous machine without a driver's seat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baldwin |first=Roberto |date=February 4, 2021 |title=Report: Apple and Hyundai-Kia Close to Deal to Build Car in U.S. |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a35411762/apple-hyundai-kia-deal-car/ |access-date=February 4, 2021 |website=Car and Driver |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hyatt |first=Kyle |title=Apple car to be made in America by Kia, report says |url=https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/apple-car-kia-hyundai-partnership-rumors-georgia/ |access-date=February 4, 2021 |website=Roadshow |language=en}}</ref> However, in February 2021, Hyundai and Kia confirmed that they were not in talks with Apple to develop a car.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Choudhury |first=Saheli Roy |date=February 8, 2021 |title=Hyundai, Kia shares tumble after automakers say they're not in talks with Apple to develop a car |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/08/hyundai-kia-shares-fall-say-not-in-talks-to-develop-apple-car.html |access-date=February 8, 2021 |publisher=[[CNBC]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Heekyong |last2=Lee |first2=Joyce |date=February 8, 2021 |title=Hyundai, Kia say Apple car deal now off, see $8.5 billion wiped off market value |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-tech-apple-hyundai-motor-idUSKBN2A800T |access-date=February 8, 2021 |work=[[Reuters]] |language=en}}</ref> Adding further credence to Apple's automotive aspirations, ''[[Business Insider]] Deutschland'' (Germany) reported that Apple had hired [[Porsche]] VP of Chassis Development, Dr. Manfred Harrer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Zac |date=February 2, 2021 |title=Apple taps Porsche's VP of Chassis Development as 'Project Titan' car production rumor heats up |url=https://9to5mac.com/2021/02/02/apple-taps-porsches-vp-of-chassis-development-as-project-titan-car-production-rumor-heats-up/ |access-date=February 4, 2021 |website=9to5Mac}}</ref> After rumors coming from ''[[Financial Times]]'' about Apple talking to several Japanese car companies about the Apple Car project after the Hyundai-Kia rumor, [[Nissan]] came out to Reuters as saying it is not in any of these discussions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2021 |title=Nissan says 'not in talks with Apple' over autonomous car project |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-tech-apple-nissan-idUSKBN2AF02N |access-date=February 15, 2021 |work=[[Reuters]] |language=en}}</ref> The next Apple Car speculation was that Apple was shopping around for [[Lidar]] navigation sensor suppliers for its project.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weil |first=Dan |date=February 19, 2021 |title=Apple Reportedly in Talks to Buy Sensors for Self-Driving Cars |url=https://www.thestreet.com/investing/apple-reportedly-in-talks-to-buy-sensors-for-self-driving-cars |access-date=February 24, 2021 |website=[[TheStreet]] |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Another Project Titan Rumor: Apple is shopping for LiDAR Sensor Suppliers for a Future Vehicle |url=https://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2021/02/another-project-titan-rumor-apple-is-shopping-for-lidar-sensor-suppliers-for-a-future-vehicle.html |access-date=February 24, 2021 |website=PatentlyApple.com}}</ref>
An industry source told ''[[The Korea Times]]'' that Apple was working in Korea to build its supply chain.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 9, 2021 |title=Apple seeing developments in 'iCar' talks with Korean partners |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2021/08/693_313622.html |access-date=August 11, 2021 |work=[[The Korea Times]] |language=en}}</ref> Later in 2021, Apple was reportedly in talks with Toyota as well as Korean partners for production to commence in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Mick |date=September 7, 2021 |title=Apple Car - Tech giant in talks with Toyota, Korean battery suppliers for production to commence 2024 |url=https://paultan.org/2021/09/07/apple-car-tech-giant-in-talks-with-toyota-korean-battery-suppliers-for-production-to-commence-2024/ |website=[[Paul Tan|paultan.org]]}}</ref>
After Doug Field departed the project and joined Ford, [[Kevin_Lynch_(computing)|Kevin Lynch]], the wearables chief at Apple, was appointed to lead the project. <ref>{{cite web
| title = Apple has reportedly appointed wearable chief Kevin Lynch to lead its car division
| website = TechCrunch
| url = https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/09/apple-has-reportedly-appointed-wearable-chief-kevin-lynch-to-lead-its-car-division/
| date = September 9, 2021
| access-date = October 22, 2024
}}</ref>
=== 2022–2024 ===
{{Expand section|date=August 2023}}
Bloomberg reported that Apple
In January 2024, Bloomberg reports suggested that Apple further delayed the car's release date to 2028, significantly scaling down its plans for self-driving and instead focusing on basic driver-assistance features similar to existing electric vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gurman |first=Mark
On February 27, 2024, Apple executives made an internal announcement that the entire car project was being cancelled, with most resources moving to work on [[Apple Intelligence|Apple's generative AI projects]].<ref name="Gurman2024-02-27" /><ref name="NYTimesDoomed2024">{{Cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Brian X. |last2=Mickle |first2=Tripp |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Behind Apple's Doomed Car Project: False Starts and Wrong Turns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/28/technology/behind-the-apple-car-dead.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times |quote=Throughout its existence, the car effort was scrapped and rebooted several times, shedding hundreds of workers along the way. As a result of dueling views among leaders about what an Apple car should be, it began as an electric vehicle that would compete against Tesla and morphed into a self-driving car to rival Google’s Waymo.}}</ref>
In April 2024, Apple laid off more than 600 employees in [[Santa Clara, California]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Li |first=Roland |date=April 4, 2024 |title=Apple lays off hundreds of Bay Area workers in first mass cuts since the pandemic |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/tech/article/apple-tech-layoffs-19386392.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> Most of the offices impacted by the layoffs were previously linked to project Titan<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-23 |title=Apple signs two big Santa Clara leases in fresh expansion |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/07/23/apple-signs-two-big-santa-clara-leases-in-fresh-expansion-2/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref> and one, 3250 Scott Blvd, code named Aria,<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2016 |title=Inside Apple's mysterious Silicon Valley industrial projects |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2016/04/11/zeus-medusa-pegasus-athena-inside-apples.html |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref> was developing the microLED screens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-19 |title=Apple secretly developing screens in unmarked Santa Clara facility: report |url=https://www.siliconvalley.com/2018/03/19/apple-secretly-developing-screens-in-unmarked-santa-clara-facility-report/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=Silicon Valley |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Alleged employees and affiliates ==▼
* Jamie Carlson, a former engineer on Tesla's Autopilot self-driving car program.<ref name="reuters-several-hires">{{Cite news |last1=Lienert |first1=Paul |last2=Love |first2=Julia |name-list-style=amp |date=August 21, 2015 |title=Tesla Engineer Joins Apple's Growing Team of Automated Car Experts |url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idCAKCN0QQ23420150821?sp=true |work=Reuters}}</ref> After he left Tesla for Apple, he left Apple to work with Chinese automaker [[Nio Inc.|Nio]] on their NIO Pilot autonomous driving platform. Most recently he has returned to Apple special projects.▼
▲* Jamie Carlson, a former engineer on Tesla's Autopilot self-driving car program.<ref name="reuters-several-hires">{{Cite news |last1=Lienert |first1=Paul |last2=Love |first2=Julia |name-list-style=amp |date=August 21, 2015 |title=Tesla Engineer Joins Apple's Growing Team of Automated Car Experts |url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idCAKCN0QQ23420150821?sp=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001120046/http://ca.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idCAKCN0QQ23420150821?sp=true |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |work=Reuters}}</ref> After he left Tesla for Apple, he left Apple to work with Chinese automaker [[Nio Inc.|Nio]] on their NIO Pilot autonomous driving platform. Most recently he has returned to Apple special projects.
* Megan McClain, a former Volkswagen AG engineer with expertise in automated driving.<ref name="reuters-several-hires" />
* Vinay Palakkode, a graduate researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, a hub of automated driving research.<ref name="reuters-several-hires" />
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* Lech Szumilas, a former Delphi research scientist with expertise in computer vision and object detection.<ref name="reuters-several-hires" />
* Anup Vader, formerly Caterpillar autonomous systems thermal engineer, who left Apple in April 2019 to join Zoox autonomous vehicle startup.<ref name="reuters-several-hires" />
* Doug Betts, former global quality leader at Fiat Chrysler.<ref>{{Cite
* Johann Jungwirth, former CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development, North America, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andronico |first=Michael |date=July 21, 2015 |title=Apple Electric Car Steers Closer to Reality |url=http://www.tomsguide.com/us/apple-electric-car-new-hire,news-21363.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724022128/http://www.tomsguide.com/us/apple-electric-car-new-hire,news-21363.html |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |website=Tom's Guide}}</ref> – left for VW in Nov. 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2015 |title=VW
* Mujeeb Ijaz, a former Ford Motor Co. engineer, who founded [[A123 Systems]]'s Venture Technologies division, which focused on materials research, electrical battery cell product development and advanced concepts (who helped recruited four to five staff researchers from A123, a battery technology company)<ref name="tim-higgins-bloomberg">{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tim |date=February 20, 2015 |title=Apple
* Nancy Sun, formerly vice president of electrical engineering at electric motorcycle company Mission Motors in San Francisco.<ref name="Reuters-Mission-Motors">{{Cite news |last=Love |first=Julia |date=October 19, 2015 |title=Apple's Auto Ambitions Sideswipe Electric Motorcycle Startup |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-motorcycle-idUSKCN0SD0ND20151019 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>
* Mark Sherwood, formerly director of powertrain systems engineering at Mission Motors.<ref name="Reuters-Mission-Motors" />
* Eyal Cohen, formerly vice president of software and electrical engineering at Mission Motors.<ref name="Reuters-Mission-Motors" />
* Jonathan Cohen, former director of [[Nvidia]]'s [[deep learning]] software.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergen |first=Mark |date=October 23, 2015 |title=Apple Hires an Artificial Intelligence Expert from Nvidia. Is He Going to Work on Self-Driving Cars? |url=http://recode.net/2015/10/23/apple-hires-an-artificial-intelligence-expert-from-nvidia-is-he-going-to-work-on-self-driving-cars |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024185142/http://recode.net/2015/10/23/apple-hires-an-artificial-intelligence-expert-from-nvidia-is-he-going-to-work-on-self-driving-cars |archive-date=October 24, 2015 |website=[[Recode]]}}</ref> Nvidia uses deep learning in its Nvidia Drive PX platform, which is used in driver assistance systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Autonomous Car Development Platform from NVIDIA DRIVE PX2 |url=https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/self-driving-cars/drive-platform |access-date=July 12, 2018 |website=[[Nvidia]] |language=en-us}}</ref>
* Chris Porritt – former Tesla vice president of vehicle engineering and former [[Aston Martin]] chief engineer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Kamal |date=April 25, 2016 |title=Ford: 'We Assume Apple Is Working on a Car' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36126591 |access-date=May 28, 2016 |
* Luigi Taraborrelli, a former [[Lamborghini]] executive for 20 years.<ref>{{Cite
* [[Alex Hitzinger]] is a German engineer who until March 31, 2016, was the technical director of [[Porsche]]'s [[Le Mans Prototype|LMP1]] project.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 15, 2016 |title=Porsche LMP1 Technical Director Hitzinger Quits - Ferdinand |url=http://www.ferdinandmagazine.com/porsche-lmp1-director-hitzinger-quits |access-date=November 1, 2016 |work=Ferdinand Porsche Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> He previously worked as Head of Advanced Technologies for the [[Red Bull Racing|Red Bull]] and [[Scuderia Toro Rosso|Toro Rosso]] Formula One teams.<ref>{{Cite news |last=
* Benjamin Lyon, sensor expert, manager and founding team member, who reported directly to Doug Field, left Apple<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gurman |first=Mark |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Apple Loses Key Manager From Self-Driving Electric Car Team |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-17/apple-s-electric-car-team-loses-key-manager-who-oversaw-sensors |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 24, 2021 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 17, 2021 |title='Apple Car' project loses original project manager Benjamin Lyon |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/02/17/apple-car-project-loses-original-project-manager-benjamin-lyon |access-date=February 24, 2021 |website=AppleInsider |language=en}}</ref> for a chief engineer position at "satellite and space startup" [[Astra (American spaceflight company)|Astra]] in Feb 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Etherington |first=Darrell |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Astra hires longtime Apple veteran Benjamin Lyon as chief engineer |url=https://
* Weibao Wang, software engineer indicted for theft and attempted theft of trade secrets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 16, 2023 |title=Former Apple Employee Charged With Theft Of Trade Secrets |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/former-apple-employee-charged-theft-trade-secrets |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=[[United States Department of Justice]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Doug Field, VP of special projects at Apple - de facto head of the car project. Left to join Ford <ref>{{Citation | year=2021 |title="Apple’s car chief is heading to Ford" |publisher=[[The Verge]] |url= https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/7/22661291/apple-car-chief-ford-doug-field | access-date=October 12, 2024| date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>
== See also ==
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== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite AV media |author=Bloomberg Originals |author-link=Bloomberg Originals |date=March 8, 2024 |title=What Killed the Apple Car? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viu9AtdzUEM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308091428/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viu9AtdzUEM |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |via=[[YouTube]]}}
{{refend}}
{{Apple}}
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[[Category:Proposed vehicles]]
[[Category:Unreleased products]]
[[Category:Self-driving cars]]
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