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© Provided by Slickdeals Apple has long been rumored to be working on a self-driving electric car, but recent statements from Hyundai put the project back into the spotlight. In late January, the car manufacturer revealed it has been in contact with Apple about a potential collaboration, but subsequently walked back those remarks.
The entire story is surprisingly light on specifics, with Apple being characteristically quiet and all potential partners refusing to spill the beans. Hyundai may have been the company that got the ball rolling, but it's not the only automotive manufacturer Apple has reportedly been meeting with. And now that Hyundai is supposedly no longer involved in the project, some speculate Nissan might be the new frontrunner.
When asked about the possibility of working with Apple, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida said he wants to "work with companies that are knowledgeable, with good experience, through partnership and collaboration." It's a decidedly vague answer, although equity analyst Mio Kato believes Nissan is the "most likely candidate" to be in discussions with Apple. Not only does the company have a favorable fiscal outlook, but it also needs to fill up extra capacity from overexpansion in the US market-making it a perfect fit for Apple.
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While Apple Car partnership talks are slowly leaking to the public, little is known about the car itself. Even so, there is no doubt in our minds it'll be an ultra-premium, self-driving electric car, despite Apple witholding specifics. Its price tag will probably be on the ultra-premium side of the spectrum, too, as is often the case with Apple products.
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At this time, it's unclear whether the Apple Car will be a standalone vehicle or a form of technology that's leased out to certain manufacturers. For example, you might be able to pick up a Nissan Maxima with an available "Apple Car" upgrade, adding self-driving capabilities and additional features. Or, it might be a brand-new model in the manufacturer's lineup.
We feel it's unlikely the vehicle's official name at launch will be "Apple Car," although frankly, iCar doesn't sound much better. TechRadar reports the codename for the vehicle is "Project Titan," giving us another glimpse into the potential naming process.
What to Expect from Apple Auto Tech
Until Apple - or one of its rumored partners - steps forward, the futuristic vehicle will remain an enigma.
However, whenever it does come into focus, it's bound to have deep integration with current iOS software. You can imagine plopping down into the driver's seat, selecting a location on your iPhone then having the car pilot you to your destination. Analysts close to the company have heard rumblings of discussions between Apple and LiDAR sensor suppliers, giving credit to the theory that the Apple Car will boast some of the best self-driving technology on the market.
Other companies - such as Tesla - have been forging ahead with new self-driving software over the past few years, and if Apple wants to stand a chance against established companies, it'll need to do something big to set itself apart. Many would argue that a fully autonomous vehicle would do exactly that. And, coupled with the popularity of Apple, it would likely become a hot commodity.
While the Apple Car is probably on the horizon, don't expect to see it in your driveway any time soon. Not only do we know very little about the project, but it sounds like Apple is still trying to find the right partner for the project. A timeline might become public once a deal is reached between the tech giant and a leading automotive manufacturer, but until then the Apple Car will stay a mystery.
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