There Are No Self-Driving Cars and the Rumored Apple Car Won't Change That
Yet another company has learned the pitfalls of trying to implement full-self driving technology, but this time it’s not an automaker. According to a new report from Automotive News, the long-rumored Apple car appears to have been pushed back to around 2026 because the desired functionality can’t be achieved with today’s technologies.
Apple hasn’t officially set a launch date for the car, so a “delay” is likely not the best term here. The company is one of the tightest-lipped organizations on earth, so it’s unlikely we’ll get any official statements before the official statement. Initial rumors pointed to a car without a steering wheel that offered full-time self-driving capability, but Apple execs are now pursuing a simpler design. Now, the company plans to build a car with a steering wheel that offers autonomous driving on highways. So, Super Cruise or BlueCruise without a Cadillac or Ford badge.
Auto News points out that Apple’s plans include letting the driver do other things, such as watching a TV show, while on the highway. The car would alert the driver with plenty of time to react to changing roads and traffic conditions.
If you’re wondering why an electronics company would wade knee-deep into one of the most competitive automotive climates in history, look no further than your iPhone. Apple wants to sell you apps and get your eyeballs on more content, and there’s no better time than when you’re stuck in your self-driving car with nothing else to do. That said, an EV costing tens of thousands of dollars brings a whole different set of expectations than a $1,000 iPhone, so there’s potential for error here.
[Image: max.ku via Shutterstock]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Sorry guys, just not an Apple fan....phones, lap or desktops.
To drive a car, you need human intelligence, not artificial intelligence.
Unfortunately, these days even human brains are turning into mush thanks to addiction to smartphones and social media.