Top 15 Rumors About the Apple iCar
There have been rumors since early last year that Apple is developing its own car, which is either an electric vehicle or a self-driving unit. Although the Cupertino-based multinational company remains secretive about it, there have been hints from inside sources and sightings confirming that the giant tech firm is indeed working on its own vehicle. The mass media currently refers to the auto as the Apple iCar.
Here are the top 15 rumors about the iCar that Macworld gathered:
1. Codename
According to Wall Street Journal, the iCar project is codenamed as “Titan.” It also claimed that several hundred employees are working on it.
2. McLaren Negotiations
Financial Times stated that Apple is negotiating to buy McLaren. It is not clear though if Apple is only considering it as an investment, but it is most likely that Apple is looking to utilize the supercar technology available in McLaren for its iCar.
3. Issues
Apple is reconsidering its strategy in development of self-driving cars. It was reported that the company laid off a number of its staff working on the project.
4. Marketing Strategy
The tech firm is planning on an aggressive marketing strategy for its iCar. It is targeting sales of half a million units annually.
5. Battery
The iCar battery will be sourced from a major Sourth Korean battery developer according to Neil Cybart, founder of analyst firm Above Avalon. The source said the anonymous Korean company just signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement with Apple.
6. Unveiling
Appleinsider said the completion of the iCar is tentatively set in 2021 due to major setbacks.
7. Development Cost
Apple spent $10 billion in research and development as of late. Previously, the company only allotted $3 billion for that. The sudden bubble in R&D costs indicates that it is working on something more than smartphones, tablets or computing devices.
8. Commitment
Tim Cook appears to be committed to it. Despite not confirming the project, he left hints in his interviews that they are into something bigger outside the products they have now.
Wall Street Journal revealed too that Bob Mansfield is overseeing the electric vehicle division of the company. Mansfield is a former senior vice president of Technologies at Apple. He reportedly extended his tenure from a planned retirement from the company in 2012 to lead the special project.
9. Noise in Apple Facility
Residents in Sunnyvale, California said that engine noises could heard in an Apple campus at 11PM based on Appleinsider.
10. Domain Names
MacRumors found out that Apple bought domain names related to cars in December 2015. However, it is also possible that the domains will be used for the in-car system of Apple called CarPlay.
11. Apple Covering Its Tracks
Reports surfaced that the car manufacturer Faraday Future might be a front of Apple for the development of its iCar. This is to divert the attention of the public from the iCar and keep the project away from the prying eyes of the media.
12. Digital License Plates
Among the cool technologies equipped in the iCar will be digital license plates.
13. Big Car and Tech Firms Sense a New Player in the EV Scene
Elon Musk revealed Apple has been offering Tesla engineers to jumpship with $250,000 signing bonus and 60 percent increase in salary. Korea Times claimed Apple is luring Samsung tech experts into their yard too.
14. Apple is Testing Cars Rigged with Sensors
Cars registered with Apple were seen in the roads fitted with a lot of sensors. The tech firm ruled out the development of autonomous car though by saying that the cars are only being used to test their mapping technology.
15. Apple’s Acquisition of Johann Jungwirth
The best evidence pointing to the possible development of the iCar is the hiring of Johann Jungwirth in Apple. Jungwirth is the former head of R&D at Mercedes-Benz. He is rumored to be spearheading the development of the iCar.