Apple Hires Self-Driving Car Startup Founder and Former BMW Exec Ulrich Kranz

[MacRumors]

Former BMW senior executive and self-driving vehicle startup founder Ulrich Kranz has taken on a role at Apple working on the company's autonomous car project, reports Bloomberg.

Kranz founded Canoo, a self-driving car startup that he left earlier this year. Prior to creating Canoo, Kranz helped to develop the i3 and i8 vehicles at BMW, where he was employed for 30 years.

According to Bloomberg, Kranz's hiring is a sign that Apple is determined to build a self-driving vehicle that will rival Tesla. Kranz will report to Apple Car lead Doug Fields, who works under AI chief John Giannandrea.

Rumors about Apple's car project have picked up in recent months as Apple now appears to be looking for suppliers and manufacturing partners to develop the vehicle. There were rumors that Apple would work with Hyundai's Kia division, but it's not clear if that relationship has progressed.

Development on the Apple Car remains in the early stages, and Bloomberg suggests that it will be at around five years before the product is ready to debut.

Article Link: Apple Hires Self-Driving Car Startup Founder and Former BMW Exec Ulrich Kranz

 

[macsplusmacs]

iDrive.

No Apple Car, YOU DRIVE.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

The first question during the interview: “Would you say you have a lot of drive?”

sigh…

 

[iDento]

Apple really loves BMW…

 

[Coleco]

Partner with Fisker. Great designs already well on their way to market. Business model mirrors Apple's "designed in California (made somewhere else)." They're already in bed with Magna and Foxconn. Fisker needs Apple's resources. Apple needs Fisker's expertise and designs.

 

[now i see it]

A-Car is still half a decade out at least.

 

[FNH15]

Apple and BMW have had a long history together, and it makes sense - up until recently BMW refused to compromise their design philosophy (no FWD, proper steering feel and weight distribution), and BMW for many years was far beyond its peers in terms of in car technology, well through the late 2000s.

Interesting that his departure from BMW in 2016 coincides with their decline in terms of philosophy and design (the FWD BMWs were just entering production, and the hideous X7 and 4er were probably in the design stage).

He also designed the Z3 and E53 X5, two very important cars for BMW (which also drive amazingly!). The i3 and i8 are also extremely impressive, and are one of the few modern BMWs with the traditional BMW steering feel. This bodes well.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Is this the same Ulrich Von Liechtenstein of Gelderland that defeated Count Adhemar of Anjou in the Joust?

 

[FNH15]

Is this the same Ulrich Von Liechtenstein of Gelderland that defeated Count Adhemar of Anjou in the Joust?

I believe this is the same designer who worked with Art Vandalay on the new Guggenheim addition. From what I understand it didn’t take that long either.

 

[typonaut]

A-Car is still half a decade out at least.

And so it has been for the past half a decade – it is always five years away…

 

[4nNtt]

If the Delorian in the keynote hints at a stainless steel Apple car, then I'm in.

 

[NMBob]

Is this the same Ulrich Von Liechtenstein of Gelderland that defeated Count Adhemar of Anjou in the Joust?

Second cousin.

 

[MICHAELSD]

The i8 and i3 were incredibly innovative vehicles for their time, and remain that way even eight years later. I’d love to see the DNA of the i3 in particular continued on in an Apple Car. Its design and sustainable manufacturing process is so incredibly futuristic, fun, and utilitarian.

 

[visualseed]

20 years from now.: "Apple hires Dale, who worked in the service department of a Buick dealer in Des Moines during his senior year of High School, to head its Apple Car project."

 

[jz0309]

Canoo is NOT a "self-driving startup" ... they are an EV startup that has a subscription model ...

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

20 years from now.: "Apple hires Dale, who worked in the service department of a Buick dealer in Des Moines during his senior year of High School, to head its Apple Car project."

Dale’s a great guy and always a blast at the company Christmas party.

 

[tongxinshe]

Too late for Apple to join the party, Google is 5-10 years ahead of any other players in the game, no way for others to catch up.

 

[visualseed]

Too late for Apple to join the party, Google is 5-10 years ahead of any other players in the game, no way for others to catch up.

Cool. Where can I buy a Google car?

 

[Belly-laughs]

Apple is developing a vehicle plattform, not a car as such, methinks.

 

[ghanwani]

Let's hope this effort doesn't end up like the rumored AirPower charging mat. I am doubtful about the viability of level 5 autonomous driving where the car doesn't have a steering wheel. If it has a steering wheel and can be driven by a human, then I think Apple has a chance. If no steering wheel, I think this project might share its fate with AirPower.

BTW, Canoo's page makes no mention of self-driving. It's an EV company.

About Us - Leading Technology and Automotive Company

We are on a mission to bring EVs to everyone. With breakthrough technology and advanced design, we are reinventing the EV landscape for fleet and retail vehicles.

www.canoo.com

 

[msp3]

Why is it that BMWs are always driven by *******s?

 

[DocGRG]

Hope he does a better job of designing a functional, comfortable driver and passenger compartment than he did for my BMW i3.

 

[ghanwani]

Cool. Where can I buy a Google car?

I would offer to sell you one but the moderators will come after me if I do.

 

[GregoriusM]

Too late for Apple to join the party, Google is 5-10 years ahead of any other players in the game, no way for others to catch up.

Mhmmm. History says differently.

 

[magicschoolbus]

What’s the difference between BMW drivers and a cactus?

on a cactus the pricks are on the outside