A concept image of the future Apple Car has been created by an engineer.
Devanga Borah (a Tezpur University mechanical engineer in India) has created artistic renderings of an autonomous, fully-electric vehicle.
Like something out of a dystopian sci-fi film, the renderings depict a bizarre white car consisting of a spherical pod that swivels around 360-degrees on four wheels.
A circular opening opens like two saloon doors, revealing a cocoon-like cockpit with two seats.
This vehicle recalls the Apple eMac computer, which was launched in 2002. The exterior is glossy white and has the Apple logo at the rear.
Devanga Borah is a Tezpur University, India mechanical engineer who created these artistic renderings. They depict an autonomous fully electric vehicle known as ‘Apple Autonomous.
Borah’s Instagram photos are not the actual images of the tech company’s upcoming car; they could be very different from what he actually sees when the announcement is made by tech giants
This bizarre car is made up of a strange white capsule that can rotate 360 degrees and open a series of doors for passengers.
Apple’s 2002 eMac computer may have inspired the new Apple Car design (pictured).
Borah’s Instagram photos are only interpretations for the Apple car that has been under development for eight years.
The Apple Project Titan codenamed Project Titan has little known information, but reports have suggested that the product may be available for sale by 2024.
Apple Car can be a vehicle, or a software-based self-driving system that is offered by a traditional automaker like iOS for Cars.
‘Apple car is a new buzz and keeping that in mind I have created this concept micro car, which is autonomous, electrified and totally “applelic”, Borah said.
He christened the design “Apple Autonomous”, and called it his “future transport”.
The design’s drawback is that the pod appears slightly obtrusive.
Also, it is completely windowless so that passengers can’t enjoy the view while being driven by autonomous technology to their work place.
Artificial lights would be required to illuminate the passengers’ seats, which can lead to an unneeded drain of energy.
The hotly anticipated Apple Car has already been imagined in other renderings – UK car leasing firm Vanarama has created images of a sleek grey vehicle with sharp angles and a glowing Apple logo on the radiator grille.
Vanarama’s original design is inspired by genuine Apple patents. It also features a customizable touchscreen dashboard, and an ‘intelligent assistant’ Siri-like to assist with driving.
Vanarama CEO Andy Alderson said that while there are no guarantees about the product, the patents provide a clue as to where Apple intends to go.
Borah depicts Apple Car speeding along public roads in Borah’s vision. Apple’s long-rumoured self drivable car project has been in progress since 2014. However, Apple remains tight-lipped about the status of its work.
Vanarama created photos of a grey sleek vehicle featuring sharp angles and an Apple logo glowing on the radiator grille.
Vanarama’s designers imagined a sleek interior with a customisable and tactile touchscreen interface instead of a traditional dashboard.
Recent reports indicate that work on Apple’s new car continues, despite the fact that the tech giant remains very private about its progress.
Apple hired Christopher Moore in November as a former Tesla Autopilot software chief.
Moore allegedly had a disagreement with Tesla boss Elon Musk, according to Bloomberg, prompting the move.
Moore reports to Stuart Bowers who was a former Tesla executive and joined Apple last year. The report stated that insiders have ‘with information’.
‘The move suggests Apple is plowing ahead with attempts to develop self-driving technology, a high-stakes race with automakers such as Tesla,’ Bloomberg said.
‘Moore is joining a division known for its secrecy – Apple has never publicly laid out its car plans – and frequent turnover.’
Kevin Lynch is the current leader of the Apple Car project. He was the previous head of the Apple Watch software development.
Doug Field was the head of Apple Car until his September 2021 joining US automaker Ford.
At Apple, Field was ‘vice president of Special Projects’ – a team that designs prototypes and eventually launches next-gen products for Apple.
Apple Car, which is its latest’special project’, follows the Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and iPad.
Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that Apple is currently working on a car. However, he indicated in an interview with Bloomberg 2017 that his firm is more interested in autonomous systems rather than building physical cars.
Cook explained that it was the “mother of all AI Projects” in his interview. It’s one of the most challenging AI projects.
The firm is targeting 2024 to produce a passenger vehicle, according to sources cited by Reuters at the end of 2020, although the Covid pandemic may have pushed this back.
Sources claimed that the vehicle will use monocell technology to power its battery, which could drastically reduce cost and extend the car’s range without the need for a charge.
Apple is apparently considering lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are inherently less likely to overheat and are therefore safer than other types of lithium-ion batteries.
Apple began work on Project Titan in 2014 and has continued to develop a car-related project. Pictured is a possible Apple Car prototype created by ConceptsiPhone
According to Reuters, the source said that “It’s next-level.” “Like when you first saw the iPhone.”
Although it is not clear who will build an Apple car with Apple branding, sources say they are confident that the company will rely upon a partner manufacturing facility.
Apple might have multiple lidar sensors to scan different distances in its car. Lidar uses lasers to send short pulses which bounce back when they encounter obstacles.
Reuters reported previously that Apple was in talks with lidar suppliers and also exploring options to build its own sensor.
Back in 2015, Apple board member Mickey Drexler told Business Insider that Steve Jobs considered building a car before he died in 2011.
ConceptsiPhone produced a 2016 video showing a prototype Apple Car. It featured a large dashboard display and connectivity with other Apple devices. The company also has its trademark minimalist design.