After a decade-long pursuit, Apple has officially pulled the plug on its highly anticipated electric vehicle, dubbed "Apple Car" or "Project Titan." The decision, reportedly finalized by Apple's top brass, including CEO Tim Cook, marks a significant shift in the company's automotive aspirations.
However, this does not mean that car-related parents are going anywhere. The latest one looks forward to replacing the usual car mirrors with windshield projection.
The End of an Era for Apple Car
Kevin Lynch, the driving force behind the project since 2021, and COO Jeff Williams jointly announced the cancellation internally. The decision was reportedly influenced by mounting pressure from shareholders and the project reaching a critical crossroads.
While the dream of an Apple-branded car has been shelved, the question remains. Some of us might still wonder what will happen to the remnants of development made during Project Titan.
Apple's Mirrorless Vision in Future Cars
One intriguing piece of the puzzle is a recently surfaced Apple patent detailing a system to replace traditional car mirrors with cameras, according to Patently Apple.
Unlike existing systems that display camera feeds on dashboards, Apple's innovation proposes projecting the images directly onto the windshield.
This groundbreaking approach offers several advantages:
Enhanced safety: Drivers can maintain focus on the road without glancing at side mirrors.
Improved visibility: Cameras provide wider viewing angles and better performance in adverse weather conditions.
Aerodynamic efficiency: Removing physical mirrors reduces drag and improves fuel economy.
Advanced features: Potential for automated threat detection and other innovative functions.
While patents often precede actual product development, the iPhone maker's mirrorless technology not only showcases the company's innovative spirit but also deep dives into automotive engineering.
Potential for Licensing or Acquisition
Given the significant investment in automotive research, it's unlikely that Apple will abandon its car-related intellectual property entirely. Licensing the mirrorless technology to other automakers could be a lucrative option.
Alternatively, Apple might explore acquiring a smaller automotive company to leverage its existing expertise and accelerate the development of future automotive products or services.
While the Apple Car dream may be on hold, the company's automotive ambitions are far from over. The road ahead is uncertain, but the potential for the Cupertino titan to shape the future of transportation remains a twinkling possibility.
Previously, some Apple Car-related patents came out including a potential VR technology and a "sunroof" feature that boasts adjustable opacity to block sunlight.
We never know what might drop sooner, but Apple patents concerning its ambitious EV project could still happen not now or for the next two years. They might materialize for the next decade or century if permitted.
