Apple jacks another Tesla engineer for Project Titan

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tesla
Tesla just lost another engineer to Apple.
Photo: CC Wikipedia

Apple has already scooped up a cadre of automotive experts for its not-so-secret electric car project, and it appears the company just added one more Tesla Motors engineer to its growing roster.

Jamie Carlson, a senior engineer from Tesla, appears to have joined Apple’s Project Titan. His most recent LinkedIn posting that reveals he’s been working on “Special Projects” at Apple since August 2015.

The former Tesla engineer is part of a group that includes at least six other experts with experience developing systems for self-driving cars, according to Reuters, which spotted the changes on LinkedIn.

Carlson worked as an engineer on Tesla’s Autopilot self-driving car program, so it’s likely his expertise is being put to use on Project Titan. While many reports have claimed Apple has been working on an electric car, it hasn’t been clear whether it will feature self-driving technology.

Reported timelines for the possible Apple car say it wouldn’t hit highways before 2020.

Apple has also hired automated driving and car experts from Volkswagen, BMW AG, Ford Motor Company and automotive suppliers Delphi Automotive since Tim Cook reportedly approved the project in 2014.

Apple hasn’t publicly acknowledged its automotive ambitions. However, Jeff Williams, Apple’s VP of operations, called the car “the ultimate mobile device” in a recent interview.

Jony Ive’s design BFF Marc Newson has also hinted at Apple’s interested in automobiles, saying the industry is currently “at the bottom of a trough.”

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