Apple’s recent announcement to halt its endeavors in constructing a car, possibly named “iCar,” is poised to trigger a flood of literature and commentary dissecting the venture from inception to cessation.
The New York Times has undertaken the task of scrutinizing the project, offering an initial examination of Apple’s maneuvers and missteps throughout the journey.
The narrative blends what can be deemed as a compilation of past reports with fresh insights and revelations from insiders and sources linked to the project.
Predictably, neither Apple nor Elon Musk, whose Tesla was the intended rival of Apple’s car, formally responded to the paper’s inquiries. Nonetheless, Musk acknowledged the news on X with an emoji salute and a cigarette, the symbolism of which remains open to interpretation.
Despite the audience’s potential familiarity with fragments of the story’s particulars, The Times furnishes a comprehensive overview to comprehend the history of what evolved into Project Titan.
According to journalists Brian X. Chen and Tripp Mickle, since its inception in 2014, the initiative underwent numerous ebbs and flows, initially conceived as an electric vehicle to challenge Tesla, and later transitioning into an autonomous car.
Ultimately, The Times reveals that Apple expended “more than $10 billion on the project,” with the car reverting to its original form as an electric vehicle with driving-assistance capabilities akin to Tesla’s. However, the endeavor faltered, primarily due to the daunting task of developing software and algorithms for an autonomous car.
Initially hailed as a pivotal move towards diversifying its revenue streams, Apple’s foray into the automotive realm was deemed a strategic leap amidst the iPhone’s maturation. However, as The Times elucidates, the team encountered harsh realities.
Despite technological advancements such as a navigational windshield and sunroof heat reduction, Apple faced challenges such as the substantial cost of manufacturing and the market dominance of Tesla.
The endeavor encountered hurdles early on, prompting a shift in focus from building a car to developing self-driving software in 2016. This shift, as per the report, marked a pivotal moment in the project’s trajectory.
Earlier this year, several members of the Project Titan team were informed of their reassignment to AI development, aligning with Apple’s ongoing exploration of various technological frontiers.
Also read: Apple Car Project: Decade-Long Journey of Innovation and Ambition
