Apple’s VP of Technology Kevin Lynch, one of the key figures in bringing the Apple Watch to market, is now working on the Apple Car project, Business Insider reports.
Lynch, who joined Apple from Adobe in 2013, will be taking on a leading role on the project, which has been going on for almost as long as he’s been at Apple. At present, the Apple Car project is under the leadership of Apple’s AI and machine learning boss John Giannandrea. Giannandrea in turn took over from Bob Mansfield, who retired in 2020.
The Apple Car project, also known as Project Titan, has been rumored since the mid-2010s. It’s still not entirely clear what route Apple plans to go with it. Attempts to team up with an established automaker like Hyundai or Nissan have broken down.
The latest rumors suggest Apple will partner with a contract manufacturer like Foxconn or Magna International to build its vehicle. The finished Apple Car is expected to turn up some time between 2025 and 2028. It will be an electric vehicle with self-driving technology.
Apple Car’s bumpy ride
It’s been a bumpy journey so far, however. A recent report said Apple “lost multiple top managers of its self-driving car team” in recent months. Of the hundreds of engineers working on it, multiple managers are said to have thrown in the towel in 2021 alone. Perhaps Kevin Lynch is there to bring a bit of stability to the project. Having overseen Apple’s last major product line to launch, he’s certainly got an impressive track record at Apple.
Apple, unsurprisingly, has not exactly opened up about what it has planned for Apple Car. In an interview earlier this year, CEO Tim Cook said that he “can’t comment on rumors and so forth.” His interviewer pushed back, saying he could comment if he wanted to. “You’re right,” Cook said. “I choose not to. Touché.”
What are you expecting or hoping for from an Apple Car? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Business Insider (paywall)
