Apple intends to disband its team, known as the Special Projects Group, responsible for developing electric cars.
This decision marks the conclusion of Apple’s secretive endeavor to produce a car capable of competing with Tesla.
Despite employing thousands of personnel, the initiative never aligned with Apple’s primary focus on electronics and online services, prompting questions about the company’s approach to vehicle manufacturing.
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Rumors about Apple’s interest in car production emerged in 2014 following the recruitment of automotive engineers and personnel from the automotive industry.
Although details regarding Apple’s plans remained scarce, the company operated a program involving autonomous vehicles equipped with sensors and safety drivers, which traversed the San Francisco Bay Area.
Over the years, Apple’s Special Projects Group underwent multiple restructuring efforts, including staff reductions in 2019, during which employees were reassigned to various departments within the company.
Bloomberg reports that certain personnel from Apple’s car division may transition to a team specializing in generative artificial intelligence.
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The company is engaged in various automotive-related endeavors, including its CarPlay software for infotainment systems, which Apple states is integrated into 80% of newly manufactured vehicles.
Apple’s exploration into car development was part of an internal initiative to identify technologies with substantial market potential.
Concurrently, Apple remains committed to advancing health-related technologies, particularly for its Apple Watch. Additionally, the company recently unveiled its inaugural virtual reality headset, the Vision Pro.
Some of Apple’s competitors in the Asian smartphone market have made significant investments in automotive design and potential manufacturing. Xiaomi, a prominent producer of Android smartphones, announced the introduction of an electric vehicle earlier this week. Moreover, Foxconn, Apple’s primary manufacturing partner, disclosed plans last year to manufacture electric vehicles.
Apple and its CEO, Tim Cook, have refrained from publicly acknowledging the car project, instead referring to it as work on “autonomous systems.” When questioned by a shareholder about the project in 2016, Cook hinted that “it’s going to be Christmas Eve for a long time.”