In the field of science and technology, few products, like Apple car does so outside of heated discussions, and this project named Titan, is said to be will be in 2020, to meet with us.
Apple iPhone 6s, iPad Pro in addition, develop a driverless electric vehicles, will be Apple's expanding business area the best opportunity. At present, Apple to 656.5 billion dollar became the world's most valuable company by market capitalization, and cash reserves of us $ 205.7 billion Apple is filled with confidence, even when compared with a Tesla, Apple also has sufficient resources to develop an electric vehicle.
If Apple really is starting to make a car, this car would be like, definitely very interesting. And we can take a look at what message we all know so far about Apple Auto.
Gossip at the beginning
In February this year, the Wall Street Journal technology writer Daisuke Wakabayashi and Mike Ramsey the first released the news that Apple may build cars, opening the rumors began. Reports said Apple in Cupertino was established consisting of hundreds of employees of clandestine laboratories dedicated to Apple research and development of electric vehicles.
In fact, known as the iCar concept can be more than 8 years ago, when Volkswagen had contacts with Apple, but it is likely to be discussed today CarPlay there is similar to the in-car entertainment systems, rather than a real car. However, when jobs mentioned in an interview with the New York Times Apple when the car's potential, says new energy automobile is like, and like the Motor City of Detroit. Does that imply that Apple has the intention to enter the automotive sector from the very beginning we knew, but last year the Apple Board Member Mickey Drexler also revealed interest in Apple car filled the jobs that year. Disney Note 4 Case
Drexler said then, jobs has let him try to design a prototype of the iCar, however this month, Drexler has resigned from Apple's Board of Directors.
Titan project emerge
Auto journalist Mike Ramsey of the Wall Street Journal first reported the Apple in the development of the "Titan" of new projects, which is mentioned by Apple research and development team of hundreds of people.
Mike Ramsey said that Apple are currently recruiting outside the normal personnel in science and technology, also began to dabble in other areas of related jobs. Even worked at MUI Mercedes • Mercedes-Benz North America employees in research and Development Department, which is not normal.
"You know, maybe Apple's move to CarPlay-related research, but such a large amount of recruiting talent in the field of science and technology, absolutely not only research and development car system so simple. "Mike Ramsey said. Later, residents from California to see Apple leasing sport utility front on top of a variety of laser radar and cameras in driving on the road gathering information messages.
Canada vehicle Center Chief Technology Officer Paul Godsmark tell of the Cult of Mac says: these data collection vehicles seem to be collecting road information. Opponents immediately hit back at the claims that Apple cars: in fact, Apple collects data to build your own street map in the fight against Google Street view, not in order to develop the car. But people countered that those who know self-driving cars: driving a car needs detailed map to normal traffic. Is Apple with Apple Street, homeopathy developed car?
Mike Ramsey doesn't think so: "there is no doubt that, if Apple intends to develop the car, it will develop key technologies. "But the self-driving cars at reasonable prices, we still have a long way to go. In contrast, pure electric vehicles will be the better choice, because it is more simple. "" Electric car has no engine, no exhaust system, this is the reason why Tesla into the field early. "He added.
From Tesla and other manufacturers start poaching
Apple and Tesla have been vying with each other for top industry employees, according to Bloomberg say, judging from the present results, for the time being is the Tesla took the lead, reported that Tesla has at least 150 employees were poached from Apple.
Currently, Tesla employs about 6000 people, and from Apple's members across all departments, even including the engineering and legal departments. Tesla did not look like Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said there was a problem, Elon Musk and still, after all, is also a very charismatic leader.
But Musk acknowledges that Apple tries to Tesla lured a lot of people, but it was unclear exactly why. Apple in order to dig people from Tesla, provided a $ 250,000 bonus and a 60% raise, but judging from the actual results, only a handful of the Tesla employees into the arms of the Apple.
Mission Motors electric motorcycle manufacturers only just filed for bankruptcy in September of this year, but as early as in May this year some of its top engineers and staff had begun to defect to Apple and to look for a new location. Mission Motors is an electric motorcycle manufacturer founded in 2007, and also produces components for electric vehicles.
Judging from the online message, since the predicament facing finance and business model that Apple poached from Mission Motors has 35 employees, including the company's top employees, and this leads to Mission Motors and ultimately to the risk of bankruptcy. But apart from Mission Motors so that SMEs in addition to Apple from Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla poached by large enterprises, such as number of employees.
Mission Motors, former Chief Executive of Derek Kaufman believes that if key staff wastage and hence affect the fundraising effort, the company may continue to support. But Apple and other companies continue to dig leads to potential investors have lost interest in accelerating the company's bankruptcy.
Hire car industry experts
According to reports in the financial times, Apple in the last few months, has recruited a lot of experts in automotive design and technology, including the latest, founded by "secret research laboratory" hired vehicle dynamics engineer.
All Apple products are designed under the leadership of Chief Designer Jonathan Ive, while Apple executives to other car companies have started to dig. First maximum ex-Mercedes Benz research and development President and Chief Executive Officer Johann Jungwirth, and now his position in Apple Mac systems engineering Director. Before Jungwirth has had rich experience in unmanned vehicle research and development.
Other than Johann Jungwirth, according to the Wall Street Journal recently reported that Apple had recruited former Chrysler Group Senior Vice President Doug Betts joined Chrysler, he was responsible for global product quality and service, and personal information from Linkedin, he officially started working for Apple in July 2015. Other than Chrysler, Doug Betts is still used in Nissan, Toyota and Michelin and other Giants in auto or work, are very experienced.
May produce the battery
According to a report from Reuters before, Apple was sued by the battery maker A123 Systems, accused Apple continuously from June 2014 constantly digging from the battery maker. These Apple hired engineer, research product is clearly Apple is working on the battery used in electric vehicles.
Before these engineers at A123 Systems is responsible for the research of many key metals, and judging from the court file, they now also assist Apple in the same field of research. Now, A123 Systems although the company was almost bankrupt, but large machines still in use, such as car batteries have a lot of technology.
Outside of Apple in addition to building cars, even the batteries would not let go. After all, Apple and other electronic products will also need to use batteries, therefore developed battery technology will bring benefits to all Apple product lines.
Lease test site
United Kingdom the guardian pursuant to a public records Act request that Apple has been looking for a site to test driverless car. It was reported that appeared in the May Apple engineers involved in the project in an area of 5000 acres near San Francisco's former naval base called GoMentum Station, asked the relevant matters. GoMentum Station belongs to the kangtelakaosite traffic management Bureau, is one of the main venues used to test connection of autonomous vehicles. The site has a highway overpass, empty roads, tunnels and trains crossing. Like Acura, Mercedes-Benz and Honda has been testing driverless cars here. Apple to the field test driverless car will make sense.
Apple engineer Frank Fearon in a mail to GoMentum Station had also asked about the use of the site and the availability of space, as well as coordination and other companies that use the site. Fearon request get GoMentum's drawings and photographs, and asked how the different areas of the site that uses.
Kangtelakaosite head of the traffic management Bureau also revealed that Apple had signed a confidentiality agreement. Can reveal they were and are interested in the site.
Cooperation with BMW
Under the Germany media reports, Apple and BMW to discuss cooperation to develop an electric vehicle. If the rumors are true, Apple is very willing to use the BMW to build electric vehicles i3 as a basis for its electric vehicle architecture. However, the two sides have not reached any agreement.
In addition, the report said Apple CEO Tim Cook has seen a BMW in Germany Leipzig plant. In fact, Cook in February this year also went to Germany visited a number of companies. As of now, Apple and BMW failed to make a reply to this rumor, especially Apple, the company has never publicly admitted their automotive project. This month, BMW manager Oliver Zipse said the company is willing to work with a technology company, and said, "we live in a world partner. "
Industry reaction
Though much of the technology on a global scale would love to see Apple car occupied the streets, head, but most of the auto industry who feel this will not happen. Because too many difficulties. Apple has zero experience in building and marketing cars. No matter how much Apple competitors poach employees, cannot resist the accumulated over the years in the field of automobile Enterprise advantage. Honda United Kingdom branch General Manager Phil Crossman said: "I would have to worry about any new competitors into the market, but Apple car, I doubt Apple will be able to achieve economies of scale. "
"Tesla's production is not much, but the PR staff, a large proportion. Apple would have done the same arrangement. This practice has effects on California, but the United States are not sold in other regions. Europe will buy it? I do not know. "
Let us look at Tesla. The company with a progressive pop Model s, and only just found a rhythm. Model x's launch was delayed several times, Tesla Motors business sustained losses. In addition, the electric car also failed to replace the internal combustion engine, transport as a first choice.
Recently, unveiled at this year's Consumer Electronics Show Mercedes-Benz F015 concept car that Mercedes automated driving technology and alternative energy efforts. However, not even Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche that Apple poses a threat to the automobile industry. He tells on the latest product launches from Australia's Motoring.com.au Reporter: "If there are rumors that Mercedes-Benz intends to develop a smart phone, Apple would not sleep, which in turn is also applicable.
Honda United Kingdom branch Director Phil Crossman, General Manager of ideas and most people in the industry, he said: "Apple should do is to focus their expertise and cooperate with auto companies to develop information and entertainment system. We specialize in building cars, they are good at manufacturing consumer electronics. It's as simple as that. "
Equipped with driverless technologies
Earlier this year, Apple in Concord, California and many places Dodge Van was rented was found. While the use of these cars obviously data collection is ongoing road. On top of the car, installed a camera-like device, proves that Apple has plans to improve reliability of the Apple map also will introduce a feature similar to Google's new street view service.
Technology analyst Rob Enderle said the car except the camera, on the x-shaped bracket and 2 rotating cylinder, before and after each one, looks like a LiDAR sensors. LiDAR is a relies on lasers to map the HD technology, now it has become a driverless car sensor system is an indispensable part of it. In addition, the car's roof and two dish-shaped antenna, rear tires are also installed a sensor, the combination seemed to give your car a more accurate guide. And then there is the car 12 cameras were also installed.
Therefore, the report has said that Apple is working on is more than service as simple and unmanned technology is independent of Apple's real purpose. And more recently, also known as the Wall Street Journal, Apple will come from Switzerland Federal Institute of technology of unmanned laboratory Deputy Director Paul Furgale super-smart, Paul Furgale is the Wall Street Journal as "driverless cars of Europe's top researcher." In addition, Apple also in terms of robotics, many experts, including Paul Furgale accept researchers and students.
Release date and price
Although there published on Apple car, the outside world does not have a specific, but general consensus is reached in the year 2019 or 2020. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal before the Apple automotive development cycle will be in 5 years, and was also the year 2019.
As for price, based on Apple's product pricing strategy, should not take a populist line. According to Jefferies analyst at introduction, Apple car selling price estimated at about $ 55,000. And the prices are higher than i3 $ 42,400. But Jefferies analyst said, if Apple's first electric vehicle market, sales will reach at least 200,000, and it's a pretty good expectations, knowing that Tesla's sales this year of only 55,000.
Source: Trustedreviews
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