Apple Watch Chief Kevin Lynch to Work on Apple Car Development

[MacRumors]

Kevin Lynch, who is well known at Apple for overseeing work on the Apple Watch, is set to take on a role leading the development of the Apple Car, reports Business Insider.

Several sources within Apple told Business Insider that Apple has been called on to help lead the Apple Car project, which has undergone several shifts in leadership over the years.

Right now, Apple Car development is overseen by John Giannandrea, Apple's AI and machine learning chief who took over the reins from Bob Mansfield after Mansfield retired in 2020. Rumors about the Apple Car have suggested that leadership issues and internal strife have impacted the project, which is perhaps no surprise given what a massive undertaking it is.

Prior to bringing the Apple Watch to fruition, Lynch worked at Adobe and helped create Creative Cloud, plus he has worked on Apple's healthcare strategy team, so he has a diverse background. Business Insider says that his title will not change and he will continue to be involved with both the Apple Watch and Apple's health initiatives, but he is stepping back from Jeff Williams' health care staff and will be replaced by director of health software engineering Evan Doll on that team.

Apple is now at a stage where it is sourcing components, talking with suppliers, and making deals with manufacturing partners for the Apple Car, requiring more hands-on help from experienced executives within Apple.

Work on an Apple Car is still in the early stages and multiple sources have said that a finished self-driving vehicle could be released sometime between 2025 to 2028. We have more on the development of the Apple Car in our Apple Car roundup.

Article Link: Apple Watch Chief Kevin Lynch to Work on Apple Car Development

 

[macsplusmacs]

This makes me feel good about the direction of the apple car/taxi/mass transport system.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Kevin Lynch didn't get Apple Watch right the first time around. He's had to axe so many features because they were useless.

This doesn't look good for Apple Car.

 

[MikeAnd]

Several sources within Apple told Business Insider that Apple has been called on to help lead the ‌Apple Car‌ project, which has undergone several shifts in leadership over the years.

Apple is calling on itself? Presumably they mean Lynch has been called on?

 

[MisterMxyzptlk]

After all, a car is just a big watch.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Should have called Jony Ive to work on Apple car.

Wonder what the expected release timeframe is at this point. It sounds like we’re likely 10 years away. Maybe Tim Cook will all surprise us before departing from the company.

 

[rpmurray]

Too many cooks ...

 

[kirbyrun]

Kevin Lynch didn't get Apple Watch right the first time around. He's had to axe so many features because they were useless.

This doesn't look good for Apple Car.

Isn't it possible he learned something from his Apple Watch experience?

 

[RoboCop001]

"And just like Apple Watch, your car complications will learn when to update based on how often you look at them."

"Sir, you were going 50 over the speed limit."
"But officer, my speedometer says I'm going 10MpH!"

?

 

[jmh600cbr]

Circle. Circles everywhere.

 

[jz0309]

Wish him luck… this is a big project, literally when you come from a watch ?

 

[mannyvel]

Mansfield came back to deal with the car project, and he's left again...and they left the AI guy in charge. That's bad, because the AI guy never ships anything. AI is not a product, it's a technology in search of problems.

The AW dude at least shipped a product that iterated its way to success. Really, they weren't quite sure what the AW was supposed to be - they thought it would be more of a social thing at first. They quickly pivoted when the market told them something different.

With a car, well, the requirements for a car have been known for decades. The only real questions are execution and "what extra does Apple bring to the table?"

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

You could even say, he’s ride on time?…

Oh dear God that was terrible…

 

[WiseAJ]

Apple is calling on itself? Presumably they mean Lynch has been called on?

I was afraid that they were going to call on Microsoft or Google to lead the project. I can now rest easy knowing that they called upon themselves for the task.

 

[twinlight]

Gold car confirmed.. and with 18 hour battery.

 

[chucker23n1]

Kevin Lynch didn't get Apple Watch right the first time around. He's had to axe so many features because they were useless.

That's arguably true. But that also means he now has a lot of experience pivoting an OS platform.

 

[NMBob]

Too many cooks ...

Too many kitchens.

 

[Corsig]

I mean he did work at Adobe which makes him highly qualified to make a car

 

[wigby]

Isn't it possible he learned something from his Apple Watch experience?

I'm sure he learned a lot but there's zero synergy between Apple Watch and Car engineers. Apple TV engineer would have made more sense since most of the Apple Car will be about content consumption for users.

 

[NMBob]

Circle. Circles everywhere.

So the car is just going to go around in circles?

 

[genovelle]

Isn't it possible he learned something from his Apple Watch experience?

It can be said they didn’t get iphone right at first either, but it continues to dominate the landscape with each update. According to industry leaders, they would fail. The same was said about tablets as well. Sound familiar.

 

[WiseAJ]

So the car is just going to go around in circles?

Apple is making a NASCAR vehicle?

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

When they eventually release a car who’s going to comment here that they were wrong about Apple never releasing a car? Open your mind.

 

[NMBob]

Apple is making a NASCAR vehicle?

Apple can't resist. LEFT turn, LEFT turn....

 

[Shanghaichica]

This makes me feel good about the direction of the apple car/taxi/mass transport system.

Exactly this. The guy did so well with the Apple Watch. I have faith he will do a good Job on the this project.