Hundreds of Apple Employees Working On Apple-Branded Electric Vehicle

[kdarling]

(1) Steve Jobs wanted Apple to build a car, and now they have the funds to do whatever they like.

Which probably means most of it will be done overseas, where the overwhelming majority of Apple's money is stashed away.

Here in the US, Apple has had to borrow billions in order to repurchase stocks, pay dividends, etc.

 

[DarthMoops]

Look at Yamaha. They make motorcycles, grand pianos, studio/consumer electronics, outboard boat engines, Steinberg software/hardware, orchestral band instruments, among many others, and makes them all to a high level of quality. Each division has carried the company at times. And Apple could do it even better. That's the way they operate.

Not much room for Keiretsu in the walled garden.

 

[LordVic]

The idea of Apple building their own car is very farfetched IMHO.

stranger things have happened, but unlike their previous new products, this is a completely different market. unlike everything they have done up till now, which has been computer focused (pods, pads, phones, they're all basically computers).

This is a completely utterly different segment. Getting into automotive production would cost billions, if not hundreds of billions to get into.

Unless they're just going to an existing car manufacturer to make an "Apple Branded" car. which wouldn't really be an "Apple Car" either.

 

[DarthMoops]

I hope they don’t make a car that would really ruin my Apple collection as I have at least 1 of apples different products and there is no way on earth I could ever afford an Apple Car hence it will break my chain go Apple gadgets so please this is not good news for mad collectors like myself

Don't sweat it bro, you'll be able to pick one up on the refurb store for like...4% off.

 

[ActionableMango]

Unless they're just going to an existing car manufacturer to make an "Apple Branded" car. which wouldn't really be an "Apple Car" either.

How do you like your "Foxconn iPhone"?

 

[kdarling]

Is it just a dashboard?

Interestingly, some analysts are beginning to think that it's not an entire iCar, but an iDash instead.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/16/apple-wants-to-own-the-dashboard/23519593/

I would add that Apple has always avoided realtime OS issues, which is what is necessary to control a vehicle.

 

[dannyyankou]

Interestingly, some analysts are beginning to think that it's not an entire iCar, but an iDash instead.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/16/apple-wants-to-own-the-dashboard/23519593/

I would add that Apple has always avoided realtime OS issues, which is what is necessary to control a vehicle.

I was just about to say this. There's no way they're building a full fledged car.

Apple wants to compete with this:

Not this:

 

[Keirasplace]

Interestingly, some analysts are beginning to think that it's not an entire iCar, but an iDash instead.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/16/apple-wants-to-own-the-dashboard/23519593/

I would add that Apple has always avoided realtime OS issues, which is what is necessary to control a vehicle.

Well, with the IOT coming up, and endless small power embedded devices all interacting in a predictable way, maybe they think they should go into this area. If they want to enter the medical device fields, they'll have to deal with real time anyway.

I wouldn't say Apple has totally avoided real time; their OS are reputed for low lag. So, consistent low latency must be part of their overall design goal at the system level. Real time OS have a goal of low latency and consistent response.

 

[kdarling]

Well, with the IOT coming up, and endless small power embedded devices all interacting in a predictable way, maybe they think they should go into this area. If they want to enter the medical device fields, they'll have to deal with real time anyway.

I honestly don't think Apple will get into medical devices themselves. This was pretty clear from the minutes of their meeting with the FDA. Too much regulation and time constraints.

I think instead Apple will promote intercommunication with third party devices that are FDA certified all on their own. That would be the smart and agile move to make.

I wouldn't say Apple has totally avoided real time; their OS are reputed for low lag. So, consistent low latency must be part of their overall design goal at the system level. Real time OS have a goal of low latency and consistent response.

I was a realtime engineer for years.

Besides liability issues (Apple labels all their devices and software as not suitable for controlling power plants, vehicles, etc), I think Apple might have a deal with Microsoft to avoid competing with a realtime OS.

 

[LordVic]

I honestly don't think Apple will get into medical devices themselves. This was pretty clear from the minutes of their meeting with the FDA. Too much regulation and time constraints.

I think instead Apple will promote intercommunication with third party devices that are FDA certified all on their own. That would be the smart and agile move to make.



I was a realtime engineer for years.

Besides liability issues (Apple labels all their devices and software as not suitable for controlling power plants, vehicles, etc), I think Apple might have a deal with Microsoft to avoid competing with a realtime OS.

if they're not going to create a realtime OS, then they don't really have hopes for taking over for a cars computer system. I dont think I would trust iOS to keep my car operating

If this is what they're doing, Apple has to compete with both Microsoft and QNX in this space. Plus any 3rd party manu who has their own OS

 

[navier]

Image

Done

I worked on this car

... and most of the people cannot even imagine the massive quantity of people involved in making a car (employes and suppliers)... it is not only a $ thing... it is not comparable to make the whole range of Apple products. Electronic devices are very easy in comparision (no aerodinamics, no corrosion, etc)

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Wrong. As the article mentioned there is Magna-Steyr.
They produce(d) cars like:

• Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse,
• VW Golf Country
• Audi V8L
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Mercedes-Benz M-Klasse
• Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse
• Saab 9-3 Cabriolet
• BMW X3
• Chrysler Voyager

There are other contract manufacturers, too.
There is a whole industry for contract car R&D: From parts, engines (e.g. AVL-List) to complete cars.
Apple could build a car like an iPhone. Design it wholly or partly and have it build to specification.

Before the build cars I'd prefer they disrupt the interchangeable lens camera business. Canon, Nikon et al. need a serious software upgrade.

Wrong, Magna is only supplier (Tooling, parts and even sub-assemblies) but cars like Mercedes E-Class are made by Daimler ( and that includes developing, testing and manufacturing)

 

[LordVic]

Wrong. As the article mentioned there is Magna-Steyr.
They produce(d) cars like:

• Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse,
• VW Golf Country
• Audi V8L
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Mercedes-Benz M-Klasse
• Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse
• Saab 9-3 Cabriolet
• BMW X3
• Chrysler Voyager

There are other contract manufacturers, too.
There is a whole industry for contract car R&D: From parts, engines (e.g. AVL-List) to complete cars.
Apple could build a car like an iPhone. Design it wholly or partly and have it build to specification.

Before the build cars I'd prefer they disrupt the interchangeable lens camera business. Canon, Nikon et al. need a serious software upgrade.

Magna doesn't produce cars. They produce components for auto's and are a 3rd party contractor. All of the cars you listed while using Magna parts, are assembled by their own plants.

Magna just makes the part to order, then ships them to the manufacturer

 

[pgwalsh]

I see Apple working with cars

I definitely don't see them building them. I'm sure they're working on in-car entertainment and control systems and that may be one reason why they're hiring from companies like Tesla. They need to have people on board that know everything about modern cars for their system to work properly.

 

[Keirasplace]

I honestly don't think Apple will get into medical devices themselves. This was pretty clear from the minutes of their meeting with the FDA. Too much regulation and time constraints.

I think instead Apple will promote intercommunication with third party devices that are FDA certified all on their own. That would be the smart and agile move to make.



I was a realtime engineer for years.

Besides liability issues (Apple labels all their devices and software as not suitable for controlling power plants, vehicles, etc), I think Apple might have a deal with Microsoft to avoid competing with a realtime OS.

Of course, I certainly didn't imply IOS could control power plants; that would be crazy. I haven'T dealt with embedded systems myself since the early 1990s (fresh off my comp eng. degree). I like being close to the hardware, but that was too close. And, industrial components are kinda unsexy anyway ;-).

I don't think regulations would stop Apple at all. Anything they can do, that others would struggle to imitate they'll do it; they create a tremendous barrier to entry that way. That's been their leitmotiv for years. But, I think they will go for the most simple, most common needs, not hit the whole market. So, we are probably both a bit right on that count.

 

[SirCheese]

Magna doesn't produce cars. They produce components for auto's and are a 3rd party contractor. All of the cars you listed while using Magna parts, are assembled by their own plants.

Magna just makes the part to order, then ships them to the manufacturer

Magna Steyr developed Mercedes-Benz's "4Matic" four-wheel drive (4wd) system, and assembles all E-Class 4Matic models. The company also undertook substantial development on the BMW X3 and manufactures all first generation X3s, the Aston Martin Rapide and developed several cars on behalf of manufacturers such as the Audi TT, Fiat Bravo and Peugeot RCZ.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Steyr