Well, one thing about Apple potentially getting into the automobile industry is that Apple has a habit of building one or two models in a product category and offering only a few dimensions of customizability, and picking product categories that sell in very large volumes. All this allows Apple huge economies of scale in procuring components and manufacturing capabilities. And that allows Apple to earn much higher margins versus its competition. There's nothing I can see about the automobile market that couldn't meet these criteria to allow Apple to achieve significant margins. So..., even if the rumors are baseless, it certainly makes sense that Apple would consider an entry into the global automobile market.
In his biography Steve said it he had more energy left he'd like to take on the auto-industry and build a car, and we know for certain that Ive, Newson and Schiller are car guys. And one of the Ive's hardware design team used design cars for Lamborghini. The CEO for Mercedes R&D now works at Apple and some guy high up at Ford works there and a number of Tesla employees work there. It's not too difficult a stretch to think there could be interest at Apple in building a car. And just look at the increased interest in battery cars and the good Apple could do if they built one. It's right up Apple's street and fits in perfect with Apple's principles.
After building a watch and an all-in-one TV there's only so many directions Apple can go in. And Apple's all about ambitious revolutionary products. In hindsight I reckon their building of a car will seem inevitable. Lots of questions remain however. Not the least of which being if this product does see the light of day how many years are we talking?
In his biography Steve said it he had more energy left he'd like to take on the auto-industry and build a car, and we know for certain that Ive, Newson and Schiller are car guys. And one of the Ive's hardware design team used design cars for Lamborghini. The CEO for Mercedes R&D now works at Apple and some guy high up at Ford works there and a number of Tesla employees work there. It's not too difficult a stretch to think there could be interest at Apple in building a car. And just look at the increased interest in battery cars and the good Apple could do if they built one. It's right up Apple's street and fits in perfect with Apple's principles.
After building a watch and an all-in-one TV there's only so many directions Apple can go in. And Apple's all about ambitious revolutionary products.
It turns out that the guy from Mercedes was the head of the software division's R&D program,
It turns out that the guy from Mercedes was the head of the software division's R&D program,
Apparently. Apple has plenty of software guys, conveniently they hire one from Mercedes. I don't see CarPlay satisfying Apple in the long run and if anything I see car makers giving up less and less control in the future. And what about when Google announces their car OS? Do you think that will play perfectly with Apple's devices? Skating to where the puck is on this one is building a car; the writing is on the wall.
Skating to where the puck is going to be, is the more important question.
Mass transit is the future. Personal electric cars is just a transition phase.
A company on the scale of Apple is not interested in entering small niche markets.
Tesla's 2014 revenues were only 3 Billion.
Autonomous vehicles are not going to be cheap mass market Items.
Apple doesn't want to get into the automotive industry.
Apple wants to revolutionize the transportation industry.
That's what will move the needle.
But how long will that transition phase last? So you see personal vehicles going away? I don't.
I don't see personal cars completely going away. Today many families have one car per person, I see that going away. In the not too distant future most American families will own only a single car.
Most trips will be by autonomous mass transit.
A company on the scale of Apple is not interested in entering small niche markets.
Tesla's 2014 revenues were only 3 Billion.
Autonomous vehicles are not going to be cheap mass market Items.
Apple doesn't want to get into the automotive industry.
Apple wants to revolutionize the transportation industry.
That's what will move the needle.
That's true, but if I were to hazard a guess as to "where the puck is going" I'd say that electric automobiles, as well as more connected automobiles (which includes the long step-by-step process that will bring about self-driving cars) are going to become an increasingly larger market for every car maker, so I can see how that might be a market Apple would want to own.
But how long will that transition phase last? So you see personal vehicles going away? I don't.
I don't see personal cars completely going away. Today many families have one car per person, I see that going away. In the not too distant future most American families will own only a single car.
Most trips will be by autonomous mass transit.
No they won't. Mass transit is here and has been here for over a century. The only autonomous transit is by rail. Autonomous isn't possible by road without a complete change of infrastructure.
Transport is set in stone for a generation. Nothing will change for several decades, at least. Infrastructure takes a very long time to change, let alone people's habits.
I don't see personal cars completely going away. Today many families have one car per person, I see that going away. In the not too distant future most American families will own only a single car.
Most trips will be by autonomous mass transit.
I can see that happening with certain groups, but keep in mind that increasingly higher speed Internet and its increasing ubiquity is also allowing people to live further and further away from city centers and metropolitan areas. Just as the car made the suburbs possible the Internet will allow an even larger decrease in population average population densities (or rather help stem off some of the density growth that comes with human overpopulation).
The center will be a nascar race track for testing.
You beat me to it, I was just going to point out the fact everyone seems to have missed the obviously hidden race track! Not to mention the CERN collider under it.
Strong focus on Innovation and Leading Edge Technology to enhance the User Experience of Mercedes-Benz, AMG and smart customers worldwide, especially with the innovation speed and digital lifestyle revolution driven by the Silicon Valley.
Skating to where the puck is going to be, is the more important question.
Mass transit is the future. Personal electric cars is just a transition phase.
Unless mass transit goes door to door, suburbia isn't buying it. I'm not walking to a bus stop/train stop in the rain then wait when I can jump in my car and go.
Skating to where the puck is going to be, is the more important question.
Mass transit is the future. Personal electric cars is just a transition phase.
I assume that you live in SoCal, from your identifier. But the rest of the country isn't as mass transit oriented as some in that area. Indeed, here in NYC, with the biggest and most complex subway system in the world, cars are still choking the roads. Even though we have massive bus routes, it hardly matters.
People want their cars. With conservatives in the government, mass transit is impossible. As we sit and write these posts, these conservatives are still trying to shut down the train system in this country. Amtrak is just a fraction of what it could have been, but for the massive budget cuts they made over the years, when they weren't trying to shut it down entirely.
No they won't. Mass transit is here and has been here for over a century. The only autonomous transit is by rail. Autonomous isn't possible by road without a complete change of infrastructure.
Transport is set in stone for a generation. Nothing will change for several decades, at least. Infrastructure takes a very long time to change, let alone people's habits.
Skating to where the puck is going to be, is the more important question.
Mass transit is the future. Personal electric cars is just a transition phase.
Not necessarily: have you noticed how successful Uber, Zipcar, Citibike and other random start/destination systems are even in a city such as NY where the mass transit is hugely elaborated? Mass transit just can't offer the density of service at a reasonable cost, the calculation of how much it would cost to replicate New York City's mass transit in all the urban areas (an imperfect system to be sure) is staggering, a new 8.5 mile stretch of NYC subway? $5.267 billion and at that Wiki says it's only for two tracks! (four is much better, you get express and the line doesn't have to be shut down for maintenance, see Washington's failure that way) THAT math is a big barrier. It's also energy inefficient as soon an the ridership's destinations spread out... those busses and trains need to travel full.
True personally owned electric cars are a transition, but what about shared electric cars ala a bikeshare program? Why Apple? Tap your iPhone and the automated car comes to you, tel it the destination (via Apple Maps or your contacts list or Yelp, any post with a "get directions" link, on your smartphone?) and get transported there, ANYwhere (the part mass transit never gives you), then walk away having paid through ApplePay, the vehicle returns to a charging station to await the next call to service. Demographics are heading to that sort of arrangement, with younger people less and less interested in owning a car ;but riding in one to their specific destination? Different issue.
ETA: And see above for more on that. [I type sort of slow...]
How is it you know this to be a fact and no one else does? It seems to me that those that are reciting the "Apple is making a mini-van" rumour are only seeing the Dodge Caravan's being used by Apple. Are you assuming they would be using sports cars if they were making a self-driving sports car? Why can't the data they get from their mounts be used across the board on any automobile? It seems most likely to me that the Dodge Caravan was chosen because of it's all around driving comfort, interior space, wheelbase, large and mostly flat roof, and price points.
Dude, this is AppleInsider not AppleOutsider.
The Dodge Caravans have nothing directly to do with Apple's autonomous mass transit plans.
They are related in that Apple needs really good mapping data so their vehicles can reliably get to their destination.
Comments
I noticed that too. It's a model S. Irony abounds. Almost seems like it's in there as a joke.
In his biography Steve said it he had more energy left he'd like to take on the auto-industry and build a car, and we know for certain that Ive, Newson and Schiller are car guys. And one of the Ive's hardware design team used design cars for Lamborghini. The CEO for Mercedes R&D now works at Apple and some guy high up at Ford works there and a number of Tesla employees work there. It's not too difficult a stretch to think there could be interest at Apple in building a car. And just look at the increased interest in battery cars and the good Apple could do if they built one. It's right up Apple's street and fits in perfect with Apple's principles.
After building a watch and an all-in-one TV there's only so many directions Apple can go in. And Apple's all about ambitious revolutionary products. In hindsight I reckon their building of a car will seem inevitable. Lots of questions remain however. Not the least of which being if this product does see the light of day how many years are we talking?
It turns out that the guy from Mercedes was the head of the software division's R&D program,
Apparently. Apple has plenty of software guys, conveniently they hire one from Mercedes. I don't see CarPlay satisfying Apple in the long run and if anything I see car makers giving up less and less control in the future. And what about when Google announces their car OS? Do you think that will play perfectly with Apple's devices? Skating to where the puck is on this one is building a car; the writing is on the wall.
Skating to where the puck is going to be, is the more important question.
Mass transit is the future. Personal electric cars is just a transition phase.
But how long will that transition phase last? So you see personal vehicles going away? I don't.
A company on the scale of Apple is not interested in entering small niche markets.
Tesla's 2014 revenues were only 3 Billion.
Autonomous vehicles are not going to be cheap mass market Items.
Apple doesn't want to get into the automotive industry.
Apple wants to revolutionize the transportation industry.
That's what will move the needle.
I don't see personal cars completely going away. Today many families have one car per person, I see that going away. In the not too distant future most American families will own only a single car.
Most trips will be by autonomous mass transit.
That's true, but if I were to hazard a guess as to "where the puck is going" I'd say that electric automobiles, as well as more connected automobiles (which includes the long step-by-step process that will bring about self-driving cars) are going to become an increasingly larger market for every car maker, so I can see how that might be a market Apple would want to own.
No they won't. Mass transit is here and has been here for over a century. The only autonomous transit is by rail. Autonomous isn't possible by road without a complete change of infrastructure.
Transport is set in stone for a generation. Nothing will change for several decades, at least. Infrastructure takes a very long time to change, let alone people's habits.
I can see that happening with certain groups, but keep in mind that increasingly higher speed Internet and its increasing ubiquity is also allowing people to live further and further away from city centers and metropolitan areas. Just as the car made the suburbs possible the Internet will allow an even larger decrease in population average population densities (or rather help stem off some of the density growth that comes with human overpopulation).
You beat me to it, I was just going to point out the fact everyone seems to have missed the obviously hidden race track! Not to mention the CERN collider under it.
According to his LinkedIn profile it seems like he was involved in more than just software.
https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=14611913&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=8xLi&locale=en_US&trk=tyah&trkInfo=idx:1-1-1,tarId:1424263172597,tas:Johann+Jungwirth&_mSplash=1
President & CEO
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. / A Daimler Company
March 2009 – September 2014 (5 years 7 months)HQ in Sunnyvale, CA, with offices in 7 other locations in the U.S.
President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. (MBRDNA), with the areas:
- Connected Car, UI & Telematics
- Autonomous Driving
- Advanced User Experience Design
- Powertrain & eDrive
- Advanced Exterior Design & MB Style
- Group Research
- Testing & Regulatory Affairs
Strong focus on Innovation and Leading Edge Technology to enhance the User Experience of Mercedes-Benz, AMG and smart customers worldwide, especially with the innovation speed and digital lifestyle revolution driven by the Silicon Valley.
Of course they are.
That's why they've built a circular building with an underground test track.
Unless mass transit goes door to door, suburbia isn't buying it. I'm not walking to a bus stop/train stop in the rain then wait when I can jump in my car and go.
I assume that you live in SoCal, from your identifier. But the rest of the country isn't as mass transit oriented as some in that area. Indeed, here in NYC, with the biggest and most complex subway system in the world, cars are still choking the roads. Even though we have massive bus routes, it hardly matters.
People want their cars. With conservatives in the government, mass transit is impossible. As we sit and write these posts, these conservatives are still trying to shut down the train system in this country. Amtrak is just a fraction of what it could have been, but for the massive budget cuts they made over the years, when they weren't trying to shut it down entirely.
No they won't. Mass transit is here and has been here for over a century. The only autonomous transit is by rail. Autonomous isn't possible by road without a complete change of infrastructure.
Transport is set in stone for a generation. Nothing will change for several decades, at least. Infrastructure takes a very long time to change, let alone people's habits.
Why Don't Young Americans Buy Cars?
Millennials Don't Care About Owning Cars, And Car Makers Can't Figure Out Why
America's young people just aren't buying cars like they used to
It's already happened.
The infrastructure needed to make autonomous mass transit networks practical are already here...high speed cellular data networks and smartphones.
Skating to where the puck is going to be, is the more important question.
Mass transit is the future. Personal electric cars is just a transition phase.
Not necessarily: have you noticed how successful Uber, Zipcar, Citibike and other random start/destination systems are even in a city such as NY where the mass transit is hugely elaborated? Mass transit just can't offer the density of service at a reasonable cost, the calculation of how much it would cost to replicate New York City's mass transit in all the urban areas (an imperfect system to be sure) is staggering, a new 8.5 mile stretch of NYC subway? $5.267 billion and at that Wiki says it's only for two tracks! (four is much better, you get express and the line doesn't have to be shut down for maintenance, see Washington's failure that way) THAT math is a big barrier. It's also energy inefficient as soon an the ridership's destinations spread out... those busses and trains need to travel full.
True personally owned electric cars are a transition, but what about shared electric cars ala a bikeshare program? Why Apple? Tap your iPhone and the automated car comes to you, tel it the destination (via Apple Maps or your contacts list or Yelp, any post with a "get directions" link, on your smartphone?) and get transported there, ANYwhere (the part mass transit never gives you), then walk away having paid through ApplePay, the vehicle returns to a charging station to await the next call to service. Demographics are heading to that sort of arrangement, with younger people less and less interested in owning a car ;but riding in one to their specific destination? Different issue.
ETA: And see above for more on that. [I type sort of slow...]
How is it you know this to be a fact and no one else does? It seems to me that those that are reciting the "Apple is making a mini-van" rumour are only seeing the Dodge Caravan's being used by Apple. Are you assuming they would be using sports cars if they were making a self-driving sports car? Why can't the data they get from their mounts be used across the board on any automobile? It seems most likely to me that the Dodge Caravan was chosen because of it's all around driving comfort, interior space, wheelbase, large and mostly flat roof, and price points.
Dude, this is AppleInsider not AppleOutsider.
The Dodge Caravans have nothing directly to do with Apple's autonomous mass transit plans.
They are related in that Apple needs really good mapping data so their vehicles can reliably get to their destination.