Apparently, Apple isn’t done pulling back on its plans for an electric car. According to Bloomberg sources, the electric vehicle, codenamed Project Titan, is no longer a fully self-driving machine. It will reportedly have a conventional wheel and pedals and will “only” drive on the Autobahn. The company has also delayed the launch by a year to 2026, the tipsters claim.
The rumored vehicle will reportedly offer enough autonomy for you to play games or watch videos on the freeway, but ask you to take control when it’s time to drive on city streets or in inclement weather. Apple could first introduce hands-free technology in North America and expand access “over time,” the insiders add.
Apple has already declined to comment. Titan has been in development for years and has suffered numerous setbacks and major shifts in strategy. The tech company may have had doubts as early as 2015 and is said to have ditched the vehicle in 2016 in favor of a licensed self-driving platform. Even personnel changes and layoffs did not help. While the company was rumored to be making a full-fledged vehicle again, it had little success soliciting production help from brands like Hyundai.
More modest ambitions would come as no surprise. Full Level 5 autonomy (where a vehicle can drive itself under all circumstances) is still not a practical reality, and even Waymo’s robotaxis are only allowed to drive in California in good weather. There is also the question of legal permits. While states are increasingly receptive to self-driving cars, there is still no framework that would allow the general public to use fully autonomous vehicles. Realistically, even if Apple solved all the technical challenges, it wouldn’t be able to sell a car any time soon.
A move to a semi-autonomous design could result in stiffer competition. While Tesla has long been considered Apple’s main competitor, the electric vehicle market has grown rapidly in recent years. Brands like Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Rivian have all developed powerful electric vehicles. Apple would be entering a crowded field, and there’s no guarantee the company will stand out.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team independently from our parent company. Some of our stories contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may receive an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at time of publication.