Apple iCar 'Titan' Latest News Update: Rumored Electric Vehicle With Self-Driving Features
Apple is reportedly developing an all-electric vehicle, news emerged on the technology radar on Valentine's Day.
U.S. consumer electronics giant Apple is said to be working on an electric minivan codenamed "Titan," and has several hundred of its employees supposedly working on the project, according to a Wall Street Journal report Saturday.
The rumored "Titan" iCar project is said to be spearheaded by engineer, Steve Zadesky, who also designed the iPod and iPhone for the multinational tech company.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The "Titan" is rumored to be in the running to rival Tesla Motors, Nissan and GM. Earlier on, an Apple employee told USA Today that "Apple's latest project is too exciting to pass up. I think it will change the landscape and give Tesla a run for its money."
The revelation has been corroborated when the company was seen test-driving minivans equipped with sensors and cameras on California and New York roads, giving rise to speculations that the iCar will be utilizing Apple's mapping and scanning system developed for Apple Maps.
These key pieces of information may be related to CarPlay, the automobile infotainment platform Apple launched in 2014 as their answer to using an iPhone safely while driving.
CarPlay acts as a navigational tool, providing directions, pinpointing traffic conditions, and estimating travel time. Its functions include answering calls, sending and receiving messages, and playing music.
Additional speculations hint at CarPlay playing a great part in Apple's "Titan," its first foray into the automobile market.
According to reports, former Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs, who succumbed to cancer in 2012, was looking into self-driving technology and designs for an iCar, and in fact, was instrument to the company's attempts to hire employees from Tesla Motors, an electric car manufacturer.
Apple also has a number patent applications currently pending, one of which allows users to control a vehicle using their iPhones.
With Apple executives already meeting with potential product manufacturers, it won't be farfetched for an all-electric self-driving iCar on the market soon.
