Apple has reportedly hired a former Tesla software expert – a strong indicator that work is still progressing on its long-awaited Apple Car.
The Cupertino firm has hired Christopher Moore, a former Tesla Autopilot software director, who allegedly had a disagreement with Tesla boss Elon Musk, according to Bloomberg.
Moore will report to Stuart Bowers. Bowers is another ex-Tesla executive, who joined Apple last summer. According to the report, insiders have ‘with information about the matter.
Although Project Titan is the codename for the Apple project that is currently under development, little information is available about it. Previous reports indicated the product might be on the market in 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 has reportedly hired Christopher Moore, a former Tesla software expert – a possible indicator that its long-awaited Apple Car may finally be on the way
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
MailOnline reached out to Apple regarding this hiring.
‘The move suggests Apple is plowing ahead with attempts to develop self-driving technology, a high-stakes race with automakers such as Tesla,’ Bloomberg says in its report.
‘Moore is joining a division known for its secrecy – Apple has never publicly laid out its car plans – and frequent turnover.’
At Tesla, Moore implied that Musk had overstated the capabilities of Autopilot, Tesla’s suite of of advanced driver-assistance system features, Bloomberg said.
Moore stated that Musk’s assertions about Tesla vehicles being capable of full autonomous driving by 2021 do not’match engineering realities’. Conversations with California Department of Motor Vehicles have allegedly revealed this.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Moore’s LinkedIn page still has him as working for Tesla as Autopilot software director, suggesting the appointment is very recent.
Doug Field was the Apple Car head and joined Ford in September. At Apple, Field was ‘vice president of Special Projects’ – a team that designs prototypes and eventually launches next-gen products for Apple.
Apple Car is, undoubtedly, one of their’special projects’. It follows closely on the Mac computer and iPhone.
Apple is working on Project Titan from 2014 so Apple Car will be at least a decade of effort if it ever becomes a reality.
Christopher Moore (pictured), former Tesla Autopilot software chief seems to have disagreed with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple was working on this project during a short interview in 2017 with Bloomberg. However, he stated that his company is more focused on autonomous systems than physical vehicles.
Cook stated in an interview that they see it as “the mother of all AI projects”. “It is probably the most difficult AI project to work on.
The firm is targeting 2024 to produce a passenger vehicle, according to sources cited by Reuters at the end of last year, although the Covid pandemic may have pushed this back.
Apple CEO Tim Cook (pictured) confirmed Apple is working on an autonomous car project, calling it ‘the mother of all AI projects’
Sources claimed that the car would be powered using’monocell” battery technology, which could drastically reduce cost and extend the vehicle’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.
According to Reuters, the source said that “It’s next-level.” It’s like the first time that you saw an 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’s new car may have several lidar sensors that can scan distances at different distances. 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 made a video in 2016 showing an Apple Car prototype. This featured a wide dashboard display with connectivity to other Apple devices and the company’s minimalist design.