According to the California DMV, two of Apple’s auto-driving cars, which operated in manual mode, suffered minor collisions in August.
/article-new/2017/08/applelexusselfdriving1.jpg?resize=560%2C365&ssl=1)
The first incident [PDF] it took place in San Diego, California, in the Hillcrest area, on August 19th. The Lexus RX 450h was stopped in traffic and was hit by a Hyundai. The accident was described as minor with no injuries.
The second accident [PDF] took place on August 23 in Cupertino, California, just off the Apple Park campus. The self-propelled vehicle from Apple was in manual mode and stopped in traffic when the Subaru Outback ended up behind it.
Both incidents were not the fault of the autonomous vehicle or the person driving it, and are largely unremarkable. Interestingly, however, Apple’s vehicles suffered two collisions the same month after having suffered no accidents since September 2019.
Earlier this year, the California DMV’s decoupling and mileage reports suggested that Apple’s Lexus SUVs with autonomous driving software traveled more than 18,000 miles in 2020, a sharp increase compared to previous years. . Apple may have increased testing in 2021, causing a greater number of incidents.
Apple has been testing its automatic driving software since early 2017, with the aforementioned Lexus RX 450h vehicles equipped with sensors and cameras. Work on autonomous driving is part of Apple’s long-term project, and rumors suggest that Apple plans to launch a vehicle in mid-to-late 2020.
Outstanding stories
Apple expands the fleet of autonomous cars
Apple’s fleet of autonomous vehicles roaming the streets of California for testing now includes 69 vehicles and 92 drivers, according to information from the California Department of Motor Vehicles obtained by macReports. That means Apple has added a self-driving car and 16 drivers since May this year. Apple has expanded its autonomous vehicle test since a permit was granted …
Apple’s autonomous test vehicles doubled mileage in 2020
The California DMV today released new reports of decoupling and mileage of self-driving vehicles that are being tested in the state, giving us an idea of Apple’s progression with respect to its software for vehicles with autonomous driving. Throughout 2020, vehicles equipped with Apple’s autonomous driving technology traveled a total of 18,805 miles in California, compared to 7,544 miles traveled in 2019 …
Apple hires the founder of the launch of vehicles with autonomous driving and former BMW Exec Ulrich Kranz
Former BMW senior executive and founder of self-driving vehicles, Ulrich Kranz, has taken on a role at Apple working on the company’s autonomous car project, Bloomberg reports. Kranz founded Canoo, a self-driving company he left earlier this year. Prior to creating Canoo, Kranz helped develop the i3 and i8 vehicles at BMW, where he worked for 30 years. According to Bloo …
Apple reportedly spoke in active talks with several suppliers of LiDAR sensors for autopilot vehicles
Apple is in talks with several providers of LiDAR sensors suitable for a stand-alone vehicle, according to Bloomberg. The report states that Apple is looking for sensors that would still be considered “avant-garde” in five or five years. As is widely rumored, the report states that Apple has been working on a driverless vehicle project for several years. It is said that Apple has …
The supplier of Apple Foxconn, eager to break into the manufacture of electric vehicles
Apple’s supplier, Foxconn, is making a big push in the manufacture of electric vehicles and has long been trying to enter the vehicle market, according to a new profile of Foxconn’s vehicle ambitions shared by Nikkei. “If we can make iPhones, why can’t we make electric vehicles?” Foxconn founder and former president Terry Gou said at an internal meeting. “It’s a four-wheeled iPhone.” Foxconn has …
Apple talks at an early stage with Chinese manufacturers of EV batteries for Apple Car
Apple is holding “initial talks” with two Chinese companies about supplying batteries for a future Apple Car, according to a new Reuters report. Apple is holding initial talks with CATL and BYD of China on the supply of batteries for its planned electric vehicle, according to four people with knowledge of the matter. Discussions may change and it is unclear whether agreements with …
Apple Car Project loses “several” major administrators
Apple has lost “several” senior executives of its internal Apple Car project, codenamed “Project Titan,” causing a possible setback to the launch of the autonomous car, according to a new Bloomberg report. According to the report: Apple Inc. has lost several top executives of its automotive team in recent months, a sign of exhaustion in the division involved in what could become a …
Apple is seen in vehicle supply chains, but may be exploring the taxi service or vehicle platform
Apple is intensively researching all aspects of vehicle engineering and manufacturing, but there are growing questions about how Apple’s vehicle project might take shape, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Peter Fintl, director of technology and innovation at Capgemini Engineering Germany, explained that Apple’s move in the supply of vehicles …
Apple Watch chief Kevin Lynch will work on Apple Car development
Kevin Lynch, who is well known to Apple for overseeing work on the Apple Watch, will take on a role that will lead the development of the Apple Car, Business Insider reports. Several Apple sources told Business Insider that Apple has been called upon to help lead the Apple Car project, which has undergone several leadership changes over the years. Right now, the development of Apple Car is …