The Apple Car project faced numerous challenges and ultimately ended without fruition, leading to speculations about its potential. Insights from sources familiar with the matter shed light on the journey of Project Titan.
According to Apple watcher Mark Gurman, the company struggled with conceptualizing the interior design, aiming for a minimalist yet comfortable ambiance akin to a living room.
Initial plans envisioned a Level 5 self-driving vehicle devoid of a driver seat, steering wheel, or pedals, prioritizing passenger space and comfort akin to private jet seating.
Technological excellence was a cornerstone, with the incorporation of a large screen for seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, enabling productivity tasks and entertainment akin to a giant iPad.
Despite early ambitions, subsequent revisions scaled back aspirations, transitioning to a Level 2 autonomous system with traditional driving controls. This shift, coupled with internal reassignments and departures, marked the eventual discontinuation of the project, redirecting focus towards artificial intelligence initiatives.
Apple’s future in the automotive sector now revolves around CarPlay and Apple Maps, with an upcoming CarPlay 2.0 launch slated for collaboration with automakers like Porsche and Aston Martin.