Strongest hint yet Apple is working on self-driving tech

Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/Getty/Wired

There has been speculation for some time that Apple is building a motor vehicle/electric vehicle/autonomous vehicle – including in these pages.

And Apple registered some motor-vehicle-related domain names such as apple.car & apple.auto some time ago.¹

In the last few days, Apple has been reported as having written a five page letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Quotes include:

● [Apple is] “... excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation”

● “... significant societal benefits of automated vehicles”

Despite some of the headlines, the only way that the Apple letter to NHTSA advances the speculation is that in indicates that:

● Apple has an interest in autonomous vehicles

● this interest may extend to an Apple autonomous vehicle, or something less ambitious, such as hardware &/or software for integration into vehicles by other manufacturers

BBC
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38199880

Wired
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/apple-self-driving-car-plans

MacRumours
http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-car/

Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2016/12/apple-is-excited-about-the-potential-of-self-driving-cars/
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¹ Apple Insider: “Apple registers apple.car, apple.auto and apple.cars domain names”, http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/01/08/apple-registers-applecar-appleauto-and-applecars-domain-names / Apple letter clearest hint working on a self-driving car letter transport regulators Apple excited about automated systems transportation Apple given its clearest indication yet working on a self-driving car working with car manufacturers letter National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Washington Apple uses machine learning products and services smarter investing heavily study machine learning automation excited about potential automated systems transportation comments response proposed Federal Automated Vehicles Policy Apple policy fundamental ensuring safety public acceptance automated vehicles providing flexible path for innovation five-page letter stops short explicitly admitting Apple working on self-driving car despite some headlines suggesting hopes new entrants industry same opportunities established manufacturers testing technology public roads Apple would be so vocal on this matter some stake in its progress rumoured Apple's self-driving car resemble a minivan initial reports design Apple told Wired does not comment on rumours or speculation Apple in talks acquire Formula 1 team owner McLaren Technology Group rumours potential F1 acquisition surfaced July tech giant approached car firm full takeover McLaren later denied claims reports Apple's car development report McLaren claims Apple's car program dubbed Project Titan responsible design and development car Apple has also hired driverless car experts engineers Tesla other car firms Apple /