Apple forges ahead with self-driving car dream as Google-linked Waymo takes a back seat
Apple’s Tim Cook has confirmed the company is developing ‘autonomous systems’ capable of operating self-driving car, signaling that the tech giants autonomous vehicle dream remains on course just as Google-backed Waymo bows out.
Apple forges ahead with self-driving car dream as Google-linked Waymo takes a back seat
Until now Apple’s driverless car venture has been shrouded in secrecy but in lifting the veil Cook described how Apple is funneling resources into the ‘mother of all AI projects’ although he remains tightlipped as to whether an iCar is in the works.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV Cook said: “We’re focusing on autonomous systems. Clearly one purpose of autonomous systems is self-driving cars. There are others. We sort of see it as the mother of all AI [artificial intelligence] projects.
“It’s probably one of the most difficult AI projects actually to work on. We’re not really saying from a product point of view what we will do, but we are being straightforward that it’s a core technology that we view as very important.”
Dubbed Project Titan Apple’s efforts are believed to be focused on the software rather than the hardware needed to power a bold new world of driverless cars.
Apple’s reputation for commercializing cutting edge tech by conceiving user-friendly interfaces is seen as a key advantage for it in a competitive field, although its lack of any heavy manufacturing capability means it is likely to focus on partnering with established automotive giants.
Things look less bright for Waymo however following the decision to retire its ‘Firefly’ bubble car in favour of a partnership with Chrysler on its Pacifica minivan.
Driverless car development is an increasingly competitive field with Ford pumping $1bn into building a commercial self-driving vehicle fleet as early as 2021. Uber is also pursuing its own self-driving car ambitions despite recent setbacks, including a crash.