According to recent reports from Bloomberg, Apple's decision to shelve its self-developed car project, codenamed Project Titan, has led to a mass exodus of automotive engineers. As many as 17 engineers who had been part of the Apple car initiative have now left the company to join Zoox, an ambitious startup focused on autonomous driving technology. These engineers, primarily tasked with designing braking and suspension systems for both conventional and autonomous vehicles, bring with them invaluable experience from the Detroit automotive industry.
This shift comes on the heels of Steve Zadesky's departure earlier this year. Zadesky, who once led Project Titan, previously worked as an engineer at Ford. Under his leadership, he oversaw over 600 engineers working on the ambitious vehicle project. However, recent developments suggest that Apple’s focus has shifted away from building its own car and towards mastering autonomous driving software.
In fact, Bloomberg highlighted that Apple’s autopilot program, Titan, faced significant challenges. With costs spiraling and personnel numbers growing, Apple eventually decided to scale back its efforts. Engineers were either laid off, reassigned, or chose to leave voluntarily. By the end of 2017, the company planned to assess the feasibility of its autonomous driving system before deciding on its future direction.
Fast forward to June, when Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized the importance of autonomous driving technology, calling it one of the most crucial AI projects. Cook stated that Apple’s current goal is to develop software akin to Google’s Waymo or Uber’s autonomous solutions, focusing solely on the technology rather than manufacturing physical vehicles.
The recent wave of engineers moving to Zoox underscores Apple’s diminishing interest in building its own car. Many of these engineers reportedly felt sidelined within Apple and have since been absorbed by startups eager to capitalize on their expertise. Interestingly, Zoox has also been busy recruiting supply chain specialists from Apple over the last couple of years.
Founded as an autonomous driving tech company, Zoox has raised $290 million in funding and currently boasts a valuation exceeding $1 billion. The company envisions deploying fully autonomous taxis by 2020. Their concept involves creating sleek, luxury electric vehicles with gull-wing doors, where four passengers sit facing each other. Unlike competitors, this futuristic car can operate in both directions without the need for a windshield, steering wheel, or traditional brakes.
Zoox has also built a formidable team of experts, including Mark Rosekind, the former administrator of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, who now serves as the company’s Chief Safety Innovator. Additionally, the company brought aboard Corrado Lanzone, a former Ferrari executive, to oversee manufacturing operations.
While Apple continues to explore the realm of autonomous driving software, Zoox appears poised to revolutionize the future of transportation with its innovative approach and bold vision. As both companies continue down their respective paths, the landscape of autonomous mobility remains unpredictable but undoubtedly exciting.
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