Apple canceled its long-standing project to develop an autonomous electric vehicle in recent weeks. More than 10 years in the making, new claims have emerged for the Apple Car, known as Project Titan. Important sources explained how the design of the vehicle would be.
Apple Car design could have been like VW ID Buzz
At its peak, Apple’s car program, known as Project Titan, grew to employ more than a thousand people. But the development process turned out to be much more difficult than originally envisioned.
According to reports, Apple has explored several different vehicle designs over the years. Early prototypes in 2017 resembled the iconic 1950s Volkswagen Microbus or the recent VW ID Buzz concept. Another design in 2020 was inspired by the round shape of the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle.
Designers within the company revealed that the vehicle has a minimalist interior with large screens for entertainment and communication. The Apple Car, which is said to have a four-seater design, would distinguish itself with its “gull-wing” doors.
However, important milestones of the technology could not be achieved. The latest prototype only reached level 2 autonomy, which requires a steering wheel and pedals. It was realized that development costs would run into billions of dollars and there would be no clear path to full autonomy. Apple executives then decided to pull the plug on the vehicle.
The cancellation represents a major setback for Apple’s automotive ambitions. Engineers believed that if it became a reality, it would transform the automotive industry, similar to what the iPhone did to the phone world.
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