Apple has had so many hits with all things ‘i’ that they’ve extended their success to an autonomous car design. Are they bringing it to the table a little late? While other tech companies like Google started their own research, Apple somewhat surprisingly dragged their heels. Although it will be a while before you see any of autonomous cars listed on Cargurus, Carfax or Cars.com, it’s always fun to see who will win the race by appearing there first.
Once Apple made up their minds to create their own version, they knew it was going to be a big deal. Apple is no slouch when it comes to technology, so it’s worth keeping up on the stakes they have in the game. In case you didn’t know, the state of California gave them a permit earlier this year to get their self-driving car on the roads, and the permit covers three different vehicles and six drivers. Drivers will also be able to take CA Traffic School in the future if they receive a ticket in one of these vehicles. State law mandates that there must be people in the car always just in case there’s a problem. Here’s what else you need to know.
When Is It Coming Out?
The short answer is that no one knows exactly when it will debut on the market. Apple has not exactly given the public a lot to work with when it comes to the details, though that hasn’t stopped everyone from speculating until the proverbial cows come home. The consensus now though, is that Apple WAS too late in the game and too unsure about what they wanted. Did a lack of focus lead them to concentrate more on the software behind autonomous cars rather than engineering the full car? Or is it because the tech giant can’t be bothered with such boring details such as, “How many cupholders should the car have?” If the iCar never actually debuts, it wouldn’t necessarily be the worst thing in the world. Ultimately, Apple has proved themselves in the software arena… and this could mean big news for other car manufacturers! You know, the same ones that want to get their hands on some quality programming.
What Can iCar Do?
Whether it comes out or not, it’s interesting to see what Apple wanted the car to do. The beauty of a truly great car (or anything really) is found in the details, and Apple wasted no time in conceptualizing the ultimate driving experience. They wanted doors that open and close with no noise whatsoever, and a function that would make the car go sideways instead of just forward and back. The interior wouldn’t have had a gas pedal or a steering wheel, which would have made the car fully autonomous at its first showing. The interior displays could also be used for virtual reality, and the whole thing would be engineered to be perfectly pleasing to all the senses.
What’s Next?
People have speculated that Apple shot themselves in the foot by waiting so long to get in on the game. Google and Tesla have had just had more time to develop their technology, and it shows in their designs. But again, Apple has the resources to still make a big splash with autonomous vehicles. They’re working to perfect the technology, even if it doesn’t lead to their making a car of their own. It’s going to take them a while if they want to work out all the kinks, but the effort may be well worth it.
