Apple Car: update on rumors concerning the connected car

1 – Release date

According to analysts who have been working on the subject since the first rumors, the Apple Car was originally planned for2024 at best, 2025 at worst. But this is information published several years ago now, and the experts' calendar relayed in the specialized press does not seem to have been updated since. However, as we will see later, the Apple Car project seems to have taken a turn for the worse, whether in terms of human resources or production.

Aiming for one to three years therefore clearly seems much too advanced for us. Saying that the Apple Car will come outin the 2020s, perhaps, but a presentation during the first half of this period appearsno brainer. As is often the case with Apple, it will first be necessary to obtain proof of validation of the concept from the market before a possible prototype is even revealed to the media. This is also what further undermines the foldable iPhone mentioned by some and whose existence has not yet been confirmed. Same forthe mixed reality headset hypothetically signed by Apple.

2 – Supposed technical sheet of the Apple Car

Now let's go into detail. What will the famous Apple Car be made of, if indeed this is the name that its creators will give it? Probably metal and other materials with finishespremium, without hesitation. The exterior design would also be resolutely unique, as the manufacturer has already been able to do with its different AirPods models. Clearly, the vehicle must be easily identifiable and have a minimalist body, but without being avant-garde.

Beyond the design, it's also under the hood that everything will be at stake. Here, on the other hand, we are getting into trouble: most of the rumors mention the case of functionalities but not of components. As we will be on the high end, however, the results and handling should be consistent with this positioning. But it's still goodtoo early to talk about the engine, chassis or transmission.

Without doubt, Apple will however be able to offer an experience to all audiences in the cabin withscreens, quality speakers and very comfortable seats. The driver will probably not have to take their eyes off the road to trigger the slightest action: everything will be accessible with a flick of the wrist. Of course, let's remember that all this remains in the nature of prediction to date: neither Apple nor any partner has validated the slightest leak for the moment.

With this, without much surprise the Apple Car will be100% electric. Already having an Apple Park powered from top to bottom by renewable energies, it is difficult to see how the group created by Steve Jobs and with Lisa Jackson at the head of its environment department would do otherwise. As a reminder, the ambitions of the seller of our iPhones are to move to zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This is impossible with a thermal and polluting car. Butas our colleague Romain Vitt explained in another file atPresse-citron.net, this will require suitable infrastructure. However, this is not yet the case today, which confirms once again that the Apple Car is still far from commercialization.

To put an end to the hardware, know that the Apple Car will also be -at least in part-autonomous. We already know without the slightest hesitation that the manufacturer knows how to master such technologies. Indeed, in the United States, legislation requires those who test driverless driving systems to regularly declare the results of their tests on asphalt to the competent authorities. This is how official documents detail precisely how many pilots work for Apple and how many of its intelligent vehicles are in operation. An investigation even showed that the firm with a capitalization of three trillion dollars has offered itself a gigantic test track in the heart of the desert, across the Atlantic.

3 – The emphasis on services

What seems certain, however, is that the Apple Car will do everything to offer us a digital experience as comprehensive as with the other products from Tim Cook's company. We can therefore already expect the integration of all the company's other mobile services such asApple Music, Messages or even car key management via Maps. Tesla, with the large 17-inch display of its own automobiles, is the perfect example to follow.

At the last Worldwide Developer Conference, Apple also presented the first real revolution ofCarPlay. Its operating system, already available from many brands such as Jeep, Audi or Peugeot, will soon be able to manage several screens at the same time and adapt to all dashboards. Beyond the remote functions of the iPhone, it will also be the interface dedicated to controlling the vehicle with air conditioning, headlights, fuel gauge, speed, etc.

This brings us to a third point regarding services:the Apple Car could actually be just software. So no real car, but a programto theWindows which wouldsold under license to third-party manufacturers. Just for entertainment? It's unlikely. No, analysts are leaning more towards the value proposition with artificial intelligence on the roof. This could take the form of both an on-board LiDAR-type system and a tailor-made AI. Knowing that the Apple Car will also be clad in sensors on all sides, like its counterparts from Waymo already active among the general public.

4 – Which subcontractors for the Apple Car?

Unfortunately, to this day no one knows who will really be responsible for designing the Apple Car. One thing is certain, however: if Apple should indeed prepare the user experience and the interface, the firm should only take part in the industrial design. At a minimum the Californian giant will take care of the interior, at besthistoric players in the automobile marketwill design the propulsion in collaboration with him.

But there is no chance that Apple will produce the car or all of its components itself: a question of budget, timing and technique. To do this, the Apple Car will prefersubcontractors. Here and there, rumors in the corridors have notably mentioned the case of Nissan, Kia or even Magna or even BMW. But this will be the bulk of the work, because the assembly would perhaps be entrusted to Foxconn, Apple's historic partner, without counting the spare parts whose production will be distributed between several different suppliers such as OSAT.

5 – Internal commotion

Despite all these details, as you will have understood, we cannot yet know precise figures on the Apple Car. This, also because his team is committed toabsolute secrecyconcerning this project, strictly confidential. Very recent news tends to prove that the company's leaders have already met to talk about the autonomous car, but we will not know more.

In any case, it won't be tomorrow that the vehicle will show the tip of its nose. The development would indeed have takenserious delaysfollowing difficult recruitment management, numerous poachings between competitors and theft of intellectual property by the competition. But some third-party collaborators claim to have already been contacted by Apple to discuss plans... So it's only a matter of time before the machine gets underway in earnest!