Apple might team up with “expert technologists in batteries” from South Korea to create hollow lithium-ion power cells that will fuel the upcoming Apple Car, according to a new report.
While the name of the South Korean company hasn’t been revealed due to a nondisclosure agreement with Apple, it’s supposedly comprised of just 20 people. The South Korean team reportedly joined Apple’s secretive Project Titan automotive effort earlier this year, and the battery innovations could help the Apple Car stand out from the competition.
Apple already poached Samsung’s battery expert to help build the iCar, but according to ETNews, Cupertino is looking for outside help from more than one company to create innovative battery technology that will only exist in its car.
The hollow lithium-ion secondary batteries Apple plans to develop with the South Korean company will supposedly have a thickness of just two fingers, though there’s no mention if they mean fingers the size of Donald Trump’s or Andre the Giant‘s.
Most electric vehicles use circular or rectangular batteries. Hollow batteries would stay cooler, and make it easier to expand storage capacity.
“Because batteries create most heat from the center due to chemical reactions, this company has created batteries where air flow and cooling are smooth in the center of batteries and this can minimize installation of separate cooling device or a device that prevents overheating,” according to ETNews‘ report on the Apple Car batteries.
Hollow batteries would also allow Apple to create higher electrical output for its car. Though the company hasn’t commented on Project Titan, rumors have claimed the Apple Car will be ready to hit the road sometime around 2021.
