There have been rumors about Apple working on a car for what feels like forever. We’ve seen various leaks and news about auto-related hires over the years that suggest Apple is indeed working on an automobile, but the company hasn’t made any official announcements about it.
Recently, this topic made headlines again when Mark Gurman from Bloomberg reported that Apple has now scaled back its ambitious car design. Initially, about ten years ago, Apple was believed to be developing a fully driverless electric car. Over time, the plan was adjusted to focus on a vehicle with advanced driverless features for highways. Gurman’s recent report indicates that Apple has now further scaled back its design to focus on an electric vehicle with fewer self-driving features.
According to the report, Apple is now working on a car with “basic driver-assistance features similar to current Tesla capabilities.” Sources mentioned that the car would feature Level 2+ autonomy, which includes things like lane centering and adaptive cruise control, rather than the originally planned Level 4 or even Level 5 technology that aimed for near or full autonomy.
Gurman also noted that Apple is aiming for a 2028 release at the earliest, which is two years later than the previous estimate. This less ambitious design is described as a crucial point for the project. If Apple fails to deliver on this updated plan, top executives might reconsider the project’s future.
Executives are hopeful that the Apple car will stand out for its sleek design, safety systems, and unique user interface when it finally hits the road. However, there was no mention in the report of whether Apple plans to partner with another automaker to manufacture the car or handle everything in-house.
Apple’s journey to building a car has faced numerous challenges, including layoffs and changes in key personnel, leading to significant disruptions and delays. Thus, it’s wise to be cautious about this latest plan. The day when Apple CEO Tim Cook drives onto stage in an Apple car is still in the distant future—if it ever happens at all.