Apple Reportedly in Active Talks With Multiple LiDAR Sensor Suppliers for Self-Driving Vehicle

[MacRumors]

Apple is in discussions with multiple suppliers of LiDAR sensors appropriate for a self-driving vehicle, according to Bloomberg. The report claims Apple is looking for sensors that would still be considered "cutting edge" four to five years from now.

As widely rumored, the report claims Apple has been working on a driverless vehicle project for several years. Apple is said to have independently developed most of the necessary software and artificial intelligence algorithms needed for the vehicle, but the so-called "Apple Car" is still believed to be years away from a potential release.

From the report:

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is in active talks with a number of potential suppliers for these laser-based sensors that allow a car's computer to "see" its surroundings, said the people, who asked not to be identified due to the private nature of the discussions. The company has been working on a driverless vehicle project for several years and has developed on its own most of the necessary software, underlying processors and artificial intelligence algorithms needed for such a sophisticated system.

In regulatory filings earlier this month, Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia said they are not in discussions with Apple over development of a self-driving vehicle. Hyundai had previously stated that it was in talks with Apple.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly in Active Talks With Multiple LiDAR Sensor Suppliers for Self-Driving Vehicle

 

[farewelwilliams]

not needed for self driving. lidar doesn’t even work in heavy rain. tesla got it right, pure vision is all that is needed for FSD.

 

[Pico 2]

Apparently Luminar Technologies is being looked at. Seems like a company Apple would just acquire.

 

[melgross]

not needed for self driving. lidar doesn’t even work in heavy rain. tesla got it right, pure vision is all that is needed for FSD.

No they didn’t. Tesla’s cameras don’t work in rain. Lidar can be made to work in rain, and even in snow, if it’s powerful enough. Passive sensors like cameras are limited. Musk just want to take the cheap way out.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Tomorrow's headline:

"XYZ Lidar Company denies talking to Apple..."

🤣

 

[mnsportsgeek]

not needed for self driving. lidar doesn’t even work in heavy rain. tesla got it right, pure vision is all that is needed for FSD.

Tesla “thinks” they got it right. I still haven’t seen a full self driving update.

I’m personally hoping Tesla has to retrofit every car they’ve sold because they can’t do it with what they put in the car. I would love that media circus.

 

[UrbanJoe1]

Yeah. This is gonna have to be well proven before I trust a driverless car. The biggest issue is hack ability and a backdoor kill switch.

 

[jz0309]

that's 1 piece to the puzzle ... the liar players like Luminar have a much greater market opportunity than Apple has to offer at this point ... so, we'll see what really is going to happen ...

 

[jz0309]

not needed for self driving. lidar doesn’t even work in heavy rain. tesla got it right, pure vision is all that is needed for FSD.

and what exactly do you base this on? another rumor or facts?

 

[mknelson]

not needed for self driving. lidar doesn’t even work in heavy rain. tesla got it right, pure vision is all that is needed for FSD.

And Ultrasonics (which likely don't work in Rain), and Radar. Tesla doesn't just rely on Cameras.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

not needed for self driving. lidar doesn’t even work in heavy rain. tesla got it right, pure vision is all that is needed for FSD.

Ok so u work at Tesla and are an expert at lidar huh?

 

[farewelwilliams]

No they didn’t. Tesla’s cameras don’t work in rain. Lidar can be made to work in rain, and even in snow, if it’s powerful enough. Passive sensors like cameras are limited. Musk just want to take the cheap way out.

Wrong.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Tesla “thinks” they got it right. I still haven’t seen a full self driving update.

I’m personally hoping Tesla has to retrofit every car they’ve sold because they can’t do it with what they put in the car. I would love that media circus.

See it here

or here

 

[farewelwilliams]

and what exactly do you base this on? another rumor or facts?

based on video evidence

 

[farewelwilliams]

And Ultrasonics (which likely don't work in Rain), and Radar. Tesla doesn't just rely on Cameras.

today it relies on ultrasonic and radar, sure. in the future, radar will be removed from Tesla vehicles as it doesn't even work in the extreme cold. ultrasonics may still be needed for current camera sensors, but I think with higher resolution cameras and faster chips, ultrasonics will be removed as well.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Ok so u work at Tesla and are an expert at lidar huh?

No, I don't work at Tesla. I have educated myself in LiDAR.

Bye. 👋

 

[mnsportsgeek]

See it here

or here

Wow that's incredible. Look at this amazing device too.

 

[Rochy Bay]

Apple is in discussions with multiple suppliers of LiDAR sensors appropriate for a self-driving vehicle, according to Bloomberg. The report claims Apple is looking for sensors that would still be considered "cutting edge" four to five years from now.

As widely rumored, the report claims Apple has been working on a driverless vehicle project for several years. Apple is said to have independently developed most of the necessary software and artificial intelligence algorithms needed for the vehicle, but the so-called "Apple Car" is still believed to be years away from a potential release.

From the report:In regulatory filings earlier this month, Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia said they are not in discussions with Apple over development of a self-driving vehicle. Hyundai had previously stated that it was in talks with Apple.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly in Active Talks With Multiple LiDAR Sensor Suppliers for Self-Driving Vehicle

While Apple is putting the flintmobile together, Tesla is releasing the cybertruck. Saving on Apple products for that truck!!

 

[farewelwilliams]

Wow that's incredible. Look at this amazing device too.

One video shows a product being used by an actual customer. And the other video shows a product that got publicly cancelled. Nice try comparing the two though.

I hope you're not betting your puts on that media circus that'll never happen.

Anyways, see ya. 👋

 

[Rochy Bay]

Apple is in discussions with multiple suppliers of LiDAR sensors appropriate for a self-driving vehicle, according to Bloomberg. The report claims Apple is looking for sensors that would still be considered "cutting edge" four to five years from now.

As widely rumored, the report claims Apple has been working on a driverless vehicle project for several years. Apple is said to have independently developed most of the necessary software and artificial intelligence algorithms needed for the vehicle, but the so-called "Apple Car" is still believed to be years away from a potential release.

From the report:In regulatory filings earlier this month, Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia said they are not in discussions with Apple over development of a self-driving vehicle. Hyundai had previously stated that it was in talks with Apple.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly in Active Talks With Multiple LiDAR Sensor Suppliers for Self-Driving Vehicle

Considering this stock increase noise is actually real, Question of the million is:
Will Apple slow down your car after a year so you upgrade? LOL

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

How about make apps for the LIDAR sensor on an iPhone or iPad first?

 

[RadioHedgeFund]

I would posit that Apple buying up LiDAR sensors is actually for future iPhones and iPads rather than a self-driving car.
If you take advantage of it the LiDAR sensor in the 12 Pro is worth the increased cost.

Using it to scan and film things in 3D is revolutionary given the cost of professional gear. The TrueDepth camera gives good point cloud data for smaller items but with the LiDAR sensor you can scan an entire interior.

 

[Romeo_Nightfall]

I would posit that Apple buying up LiDAR sensors is actually for future iPhones and iPads rather than a self-driving car.
If you take advantage of it the LiDAR sensor in the 12 Pro is worth the increased cost.

Using it to scan and film things in 3D is revolutionary given the cost of professional gear. The TrueDepth camera gives good point cloud data for smaller items but with the LiDAR sensor you can scan an entire interior.

Yeah let’s see if they have a vision.
I highly doubt.

 

[LooZpl]

It's actually funny because for over a year now the consensus (MobilEye, Waymo, Tesla) has been that LiDAR is not needed for FSD. MobileEye (owned by Intel) has even suspended work on LiDAR-based FSD and is only focusing on CV (computer vision), as is Tesla.

In 4-5 years, using LiDAR will be as good an idea as using mechanical keys on a smartphone.

And if you don't believe a random guy from the internet, I recommend listening to what Waymo's founder says about it ("Musk was right about LiDAR" or a random guy like Jim Keller, who when asked about CV-based FSD replies "I have no doubt that we are closer than you think".

 

[rjp1]

Microvision claims to be on track to demo their product in April. It is supposed to be years ahead of all other LIDAR sensors.