In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg expert Mark Gurman revealed that Apple spent a decade and a lot of money on a secret project that could have changed the face of the auto industry.
According to PhoneArena, Mr. Gurman has indicated that Apple is aiming to create a car with a design similar to the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle model by around 2020. The front of the car will resemble a truck while the rear will give the impression of the vehicle moving forward. Gurman stated that this car will be unlike any other car currently in mass production, and will be designed to support Level 5 (L5) fully autonomous driving functionality.
Apple has made a few changes to the car’s interior design, but it still has a minimalist look with seats similar to those found in a limousine or private jet. The car can hold up to four people. Some versions of the car have a focus on the interior, including a large screen in the center for video projection and FaceTime video chatting. On the car’s roof, multiple iPad-sized screens hang down so that passengers can access certain controls. The car’s air conditioning system is designed to push air along the sides of the interior instead of blowing it directly into the passengers’ faces.
Apple has reportedly been considering various designs for their upcoming car, including two models that are inspired by classic Volkswagen vehicles. One of these designs is said to resemble a minibus from the 1950s, which Apple has dubbed “Bread Loaf”. The other design is similar to the 2017 Volkswagen ID Buzz prototype. However, it seems that the design based on the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle is the one that CEO Tim Cook and COO Jeff Williams find the most exciting.
Before discontinuing its car project, Apple reportedly had to downgrade its car’s self-driving system to Level 2 (L2) and add a steering wheel and pedals.
Although Apple’s plans to develop an electric vehicle have been discontinued, if the project continues, analysts predict that it could shake up the auto industry, much like the company did with smartphones.