Autonomous Vehicle Startup Zoox Snags 17 Former Apple Automotive Engineers

[MacRumors]

Seventeen automotive engineers who previously worked for Apple left the company to join self-driving startup Zoox following Apple's shift away from developing a full autonomous car, reports Bloomberg.

The group of engineers, who originally came to Apple from several Detroit carmakers and suppliers among other automotive companies, are said to specialize in designing hardware like braking and suspension systems.

One of the Lexus SUVs Apple is using to test its self-driving software​

Many engineers who were recruited for Apple's car project left as Apple pivoted away from developing its own autonomous vehicle and instead began work on an autonomous driving system. Under the leadership of Bob Mansfield, the "Project Titan" car team is now developing autonomous software and testing that software out on the road in Lexus SUVs.

The latest exodus to Zoox suggests Apple is less likely to revive ambitions to make a car itself. The engineers found themselves increasingly sidelined and surplus to requirements at Apple, and were hired by the startup in piecemeal fashion in recent months, the people said.

It's not entirely clear yet what Apple plans to use its autonomous driving software for, but the company is exploring options like self-driving shuttles to ferry its employees from campus to campus as part of further testing. In the future, Apple could partner with a ride-sharing company or a car manufacturer to deploy its software.

Zoox, meanwhile, is working on an a full autonomous car in order to create a fleet of autonomous vehicles. The company has raised more than $250 million and has a valuation of more than $1 billion.

Article Link: Autonomous Vehicle Startup Zoox Snags 17 Former Apple Automotive Engineers

 

[farewelwilliams]

CEO: "what should we call ourselves?"
Marketing: "dunno...Zoox?"
Engineer: "that sounds terrib-"
CEO: "Done."

 

[DrJohnnyN]

Zeus?

 

[TreyCox]

I wish them luck, but I suggest perhaps changing the company name.

 

[DotCom2]

I guess the car thing REALLY is dead!

 

[calzon65]

If having a true self driving car means we need a gadget like that on the roof, I think we have a long way to go

 

[BornAgainMac]

If having a true self driving car means we need a gadget like that on the roof, I think we have a long way to go

Well, at least people will see you coming and not bolt out in front of you and force your car to figure out what to do in a rush.

 

[fourthtunz]

I guess the car thing REALLY is dead!

Heh, or, is Apple a silent partner?

 

[KazKam]

Gadzoox!

 

[ksnell]

If having a true self driving car means we need a gadget like that on the roof, I think we have a long way to go

Probably just easier to mount that on top so you can swap out sensors easier and focus on the tech. Let design and manufacturing work on the integration after there is a proven concept.

 

[FightTheFuture]

Gruber had an interesting thought in his last podcast that an Apple Car wouldn't be for consumer ownership but for an autonomous ride-hailing service like Uber.

Well, at least people will see you coming...

If having a true self driving car means we need a gadget like that on the roof, I think we have a long way to go

Why are there two different emoticons in these posts?

 

[mdelvecchio]

I guess the car thing REALLY is dead!

So a rumor about a departures means the rumor about an unannounced product are dispelled?

 

[DotCom2]

So a rumor about a departures means the rumor about an unannounced product are dispelled?

Yes.

 

[Rogifan]

Gruber had an interesting thought in his last podcast that an Apple Car wouldn't be for consumer ownership but for an autonomous ride-hailing service like Uber.

Someone still has to build the car. Call me skeptical that Apple will be able to successfully be able to build a car software platform for an existing automaker to use. Plus isn’t Apple all about the user experience. If it’s someone else’s car how does Apple control that? We saw what happened with that LG monitor and now Apple will be making its own. Unless Apple is prepared to do the whole thing (even if it’s for a ride sharing service) I think they should abandon a carOS platform and divert those resources elsewhere.

 

[sos47]

that's because the autonomous cars can't be designed slim enough

 

[IJ Reilly]

I've always been puzzled by this concept of a "full car." Does that imply the possibility of a partial car, or simply one that is half empty?
[doublepost=1504125031][/doublepost]

So a rumor about a departures means the rumor about an unannounced product are dispelled?

Pretty much. The rumors about Apple's automotive plans have always been about as firm as warm jello.

 

[ActionableMango]

and divert those resources elsewhere

Yes, like a Mac Mini that isn't 3 years old and a Mac Pro that isn't 4 years old.

They are spending so much effort making donut buildings, cars, and watch straps that they forgot to make Macs.

 

[velocityg4]

I wish them luck, but I suggest perhaps changing the company name.

At least it isn't Zux.

 

[Nunyabinez]

It better be as good as the Jonny Cab. I think he's a very close cousin of Siri.

 

[2807]

They don't plan to create an autonomous car.
They plan to create buzz, get attention, and get bought out.

The "one billion" valuation is suspect to me.
This is the biz model. This is the spin.
They would sell today to the first sucker who comes along.

 

[luvbug]

At least it isn't Zux.

Or Zits.

 

[ToomeyND]

Probably just easier to mount that on top so you can swap out sensors easier and focus on the tech. Let design and manufacturing work on the integration after there is a proven concept.

I'm wondering if it doesn't go further of identifying how many sensors you really need. I imagine you can discern through statistics what 2 sensors would have missed, 3 sensors, etc. At that point, you look for 99.9% efficient or something like that, and use no more sensors than that.

 

[JPLC]

I guess the car thing REALLY is dead!

How about a cover up with a planned take over? To get the heat of the subject.

God I love it to make up my own reality!

 

[FrenchRoasted]

It's not entirely clear yet what Apple plans to use its autonomous driving software for...

Not entirely clear to me either.

 

[Dan From Canada]

Seventeen automotive engineers who previously worked for Apple left the company to join self-driving startup Zoox following Apple's shift away from developing a full autonomous car, reports Bloomberg.

The group of engineers, who originally came to Apple from several Detroit carmakers and suppliers among other automotive companies, are said to specialize in designing hardware like braking and suspension systems.

One of the Lexus SUVs Apple is using to test its self-driving software​

Many engineers who were recruited for Apple's car project left as Apple pivoted away from developing its own autonomous vehicle and instead began work on an autonomous driving system. Under the leadership of Bob Mansfield, the "Project Titan" car team is now developing autonomous software and testing that software out on the road in Lexus SUVs.It's not entirely clear yet what Apple plans to use its autonomous driving software for, but the company is exploring options like self-driving shuttles to ferry its employees from campus to campus as part of further testing. In the future, Apple could partner with a ride-sharing company or a car manufacturer to deploy its software.

Zoox, meanwhile, is working on an a full autonomous car in order to create a fleet of autonomous vehicles. The company has raised more than $250 million and has a valuation of more than $1 billion.

Article Link: Autonomous Vehicle Startup Zoox Snags 17 Former Apple Automotive Engineers

[doublepost=1504129243][/doublepost]Excuse my ignorance on the topic but will autonomous vehicles in the future all have the pile of cameras on the roof?