Apple Car Production Slated for 2024 With 'Next Level' Battery Technology

[Konigi]

They just need to do the magic triack they did with Apple Silicons on the M1s, and that will significantly improve the cars' battery life.

I'm afraid however the wheels of that car are going to be extra expensive (and not included in the original purchase).

 

[docbop]

Apple is aiming to begin production on an Apple-branded self-driving vehicle starting in 2024, according to a new report shared today by Reuters.

Apple has been working on some kind of car project since 2014, and there was a point when it seemed like the company's efforts could be scaled back to autonomous vehicle software, but after several management changes and shifts in hiring, Apple's work on a car has progressed and the company now feels that it is able to build a vehicle for consumers.

Unnamed sources told Reuters that Apple is developing a new battery design that has the potential to "radically" reduce the cost of batteries and increase the vehicle's range.

Apple is building a "monocell" design that will bulk up the individual battery cells and free up space inside the battery pack by removing pouches and modules that hold battery materials. This will allow for more active material in a smaller package.One person who spoke to Reuters described Apple's battery technology as "next level" and said that it's similar to "the first time you saw the iPhone."

Apple will need to tap into a whole new supply chain to produce a car. Apple is said to be planning to rely on a manufacturing partner to build the vehicles. Apple is working with outside partners for car components, such as LiDAR sensors.

The Apple Car could feature multiple LiDAR sensors for scanning different distances, and some of those could be created from Apple's internally developed LiDAR units.

Apple was in talks with Magna International about manufacturing a car, but the talks ended when Apple's plans became unclear. To enter into a contract, Apple may need to commit to high volume sales, as many as 100,000 vehicles annually.

There are years to go before Apple begins production on an Apple Car, and Reuters warns that the company could still choose to scale back the project and reduce the scope of its efforts to an autonomous driving system that would be integrated into a car made by a traditional automaker. Delays caused by the ongoing global health crisis could also push production to 2025 or beyond.

Article Link: Apple Car Production Slated for 2024 With 'Next Level' Battery Technology

But seats won't be included since most already own seats.

 

[MacBebe]

I remember when Steve Jobs wanted to to be insanely great at a few products. I feel like Apple is trying to be a Swiss Army knife at technology. That doesn’t work out well. Ask Microsoft.

That's what most said when they introduced the iPhone.

 

[TheOldChevy]

I don't know if I want that. I meant yes we need better and safer cars. But in my opinion, Tesla are already too expensive for just "a car". So an Apple car ?

I think that there is a market for better cars that remain done and optimised for everybody, but traditional car manufacturers. One start to find a series of electric cars that have all the necessary electronics on board. They are still missing sensors and intelligence, but the HW is available.

Improving the batteries ? yes of course. And Apple with the M1 just demonstrated that they can bring the revolution in a mature market, but batteries are not a mature market and many companies (and research centers) are working on their improvements, so it will come, even without Apple,

So, seing an Apple car will probably be fun, but I am not sure that this is the best investment of Apple money and engineering.

 

[Lvivske]

I mostly agree with you, but I would definitely not count them out. People said the same thing about the iPhone in 2007.
that it was too expensive, that Apple had absolutely no experience, that BlackBerry and windows mobile had way too much of a grip on the mobile industry, and not even 2 years later, blackberry and windows mobile were basically left in the dust by the iPhone and android.

i get the comparison and you're right about the rhetoric/doubt, but isnt there a big difference between average consumer grade and a car being for the rich

the iphone took off because it was affordable by nearly everyone, gained wide adoption and the developer community made apps so amazing that you *had* to buy one. And by having such wide spread user adoption, they could iterate and perfect the product.

I dont see that analogy here.

Improving the batteries ? yes of course. And Apple with the M1 just demonstrated that they can bring the revolution in a mature market, but batteries are not a mature market and many companies (and research centers) are working on their improvements, so it will come, even without Apple,

I think you make a great point. In general Apple likes to wait and enter mature markets. They waited for mobile phones to take grip before entering the market with a bang, they wait to adopt a lot of features until other phones do it first. Tablets are a big exception to the rule, but they also waited for their phone and touch tech to get to a level to make it possible.

 

[jz0309]

just because its a rumor doesnt mean i cant think the rumor is b.s.

i can definitely see them getting more involved in car OS kinda stuff, but not whole cars

this is what im thinking is going on: (he even uses apple as an example, saying stuff wont be ready for mac world so 'people who write about apple' will want the story regardless even if its fake)

yesterday's article about an Apple car release in 2021 was definitely BS ... this one has more credibility...
I am also struggling with the idea of Apple building a car, an entire car, that's just so out of their league, but, rumors have been going around since 2014 so who knows. IF they do, and 2024 is the timeframe, we will know within the net 18 months, they will not be able to keep it a secret for another 3 years ...

 

[farewelwilliams]

You dont seem to understand how stocks work! Let me guess... from the paranoia... MAGA? LOL...

I'm up $390k from Tesla stocks. Sold all on Friday and I'm waiting until it crashes to get back in. What paranoia are you talking about when I WANT the stock to go down? Pretty stupid accusation.

Not going to talk with you anymore, troll.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I don't know if I want that. I meant yes we need better and safer cars. But in my opinion, Tesla are already too expensive for just "a car". So an Apple car ?

I think that there is a market for better cars that remain done and optimised for everybody, but traditional car manufacturers. One start to find a series of electric cars that have all the necessary electronics on board. They are still missing sensors and intelligence, but the HW is available.

Improving the batteries ? yes of course. And Apple with the M1 just demonstrated that they can bring the revolution in a mature market, but batteries are not a mature market and many companies (and research centers) are working on their improvements, so it will come, even without Apple,

So, seing an Apple car will probably be fun, but I am not sure that this is the best investment of Apple money and engineering.

As someone who at the moment would never be able to afford a tesla, I can say with certainty that they are definitely not overpriced.
You get what you pay for!!!
and the fact that there’s model 3’s that are under $40,000 now is absolutely bonkers.

 

[swingerofbirch]

Traditional car manufacturers are about to go the same way as Nokia and Ericsson because they haven't realised their industry is now a software industry.

I know you're referring to the consumer phones, but Nokia and Ericsson have been around since the 1800s and are still vital companies.

 

[Freida]

I remember that time but I think we can both agree that this is way bigger and complex issue than a phone. Before iPhone Apple had some experience with devices. In fact, iPhone is just iPod with screen and calling features and they had many years developing certain parts so that was much easier to take on.

A car is much bigger animal to tame and I doubt Apple has what it takes as they have zero experience with aerodynamics, breaking systems, driving comfort, engines etc. This beast is just another league and if Apple wants to take a bite (and I feel they should) then it will take them years to perfect it to the level that people will abandon Tesla for them.

I think their success could better start with a platform and later venture into fully fleshed car.

Anyway, competition is always good. I just don't think they will be on the top just like they were with the iPhone. In 10 years time we could revisit this conversation but until then its Tesla, VW, etc.

I mostly agree with you, but I would definitely not count them out. People said the same thing about the iPhone in 2007.
that it was too expensive, that Apple had absolutely no experience, that BlackBerry and windows mobile had way too much of a grip on the mobile industry, and not even 2 years later, blackberry and windows mobile were basically left in the dust by the iPhone and android.

 

[rjp1]

Counting down to someone's self driving Apple Car crashing and Apple claiming they were holding the steering wheel wrong.

 

[JoeG4]

Based on the Airpods Max and Mac Pro, I don't think I'd be able to afford an Apple car. The base model would probably cost well over $100k.

 

[tdar]

Traditional car manufacturers are about to go the same way as Nokia and Ericsson because they haven't realised their industry is now a software industry.

I think that you might not understand what they understand. Cars are more complicated than that. Software is one part. One thing Apple would be good at in a car is controlling the hardware and the software to make it work as a system. But so is GM and For and BMW and....

 

[satchmo]

After the AirPods Max, I'm confident Apple can build a quality car...not so much with them making a smart car cover.

 

[jmgregory1]

This reminds me of Apple toying with idea of making television but never saw the light of day.

I thought this exact thing when the first article came out about the Apple car recently. I think for Apple to make a car or suv, it would require them to show their hand of what they're working on far before they are ready to release, as they'll need the buzz to help drive demand. It has to be pre-planned in a way that a phone, tablet or computer purchase doesn't require for most consumers.

One thing that totally makes sense and does fit in with where Apple is seeing success, is in subscription services. This could be one way of getting around the high cost of a vehicle and the purchase planning most people have to do, but it's not proven itself out as a thing a lot of people will do yet.

 

[WitchDoktor]

3 years seems to be very tight timing for a brand new car to be released. No manufacturing facilities are apparently in place, no testing has been observed, none of the development that a car requires seems to be happening.

I doubt we will see an Apple Car. Perhaps they are working on an electronics package to go into an Apple Edition BMW or something.

 

[mannyvel]

they couldn't make AirPower but they sure could make a brand new revolutionary battery...?

It's funny, the MagSafe on the 12 came from the failures of AirPower. You can't expect people to line up a charging coil that they can't see...and MagSafe is a neat, elegant way around that particular problem. The AW has a MagSafe sort of thing, but it occasionally fails (my wife clicks her AW in but it occasionally doesn't charge). The 12 one seems more reliable.

 

[triangletechie]

I don't understand what you mean. How do you define this as being 'sketchy'? It has been reported on forbes, reuters, 9to5mac, CNBC and more...

Sketchy Report Says Apple Car is Years Ahead of Schedule, Will Debut Next Year

Apple's long-rumored electric vehicle is running at least two years ahead of schedule and will be released in the third quarter of 2021,...

www.macrumors.com

 

[rmoliv]

Do you realize you said it’d be ready to launch next year just few hours ago?

 

[now i see it]

There will never be an APL branded self driving car available for consumers to buy - ever

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Yeesh Elon and the rest of the Tesla team should definitely take some notes from Apple on their presentation skills. I couldn’t make it through 5 minutes of the camera shaking and Elon double checking to make sure the slide behind him changed and fumbling over that huge remote clicker.

That being said, I hope they bring out new batteries too, competition is always better.

Yeah, Elon's presentations are always pretty... bad. He doesn't take the time to rehearse or prepare at all, and it shows. It doesn't matter though - it's the opposite of Apple. He has nothing but interesting content, while Apple spends hours polishing turds.

 

[derekamoss]

Yeah, I'm going to trust Apple to make an electric car that has auto pilot... Tesla basically has only one product to focus on, electric autopilot cars and they have been at it for years and still haven't gotten there; but I am sure Apple focusing on dozens of products will have mastered it by 2024 because apparently Apple can do anything...

 

[Kierkegaarden]

I've always wanted to be chauffeured. Self driving cars look promising. I fear, however, that technology is still many years away. Which may mean, I'll only be chauffeured in a hearse.

That’s a sad thought. With all of the companies working on this technology, I would guess that within 10 years we will have good options. So by 2030. Hang on.

 

[SAIRUS]

What scares me tremendously is that under Tim Cook Apple has moved to a more agile 80/20 setup, to churn out more updates, with some less polish and some more bugs. The ambition is great, do get me wrong, but if my phone dies, I don't generally. If my car has an issue, the QA has to be through the roof.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

There is a presentation from 2006, where Steve bragged about how Apple is everywhere. I’m going to paraphrase it, because I don’t have it directly in front of me, but he basically said:
“Apple in your pocket with the iPod.
Apple in your office with the Mac lineup.
Apple in your den with the iPod Hi-fi
Apple in your living room with the Apple TV.
Apple in your car with iPod connectors.”
And this was around the same time that Apple was pushing the iLife thing.
So maybe in the 80s and 90s, and even the early 2000 ‘s, his goal for Apple was to make a couple insanely good products. But, I would say by 2007 when they change their name to remove the computer, he had a completely different vision for Apple. A VisionWare, Apple would make everything in your life simpler.
The iPhone for when ever you’re on the go or you just need it.
The iPad for sit and chill sessions.
The Mac lineup for working.
The Apple TV for your living room and bedrooms, or pretty much wherever you need one.
HomePod and HomePod Mini to keep you connect at all times.
HomeKit also for your home.
Apple Watch for your health.
So Apple helps you manage your home, manage what shows you’re watching, manage everything on your phone, your professional work, your health, so why on earth doesn’t it make sense for them to get into transportation.

Good point. And since transportation is important in our lives like communication, it makes sense why they would at least see how/if they could innovate in this market.