2017 Supplier Responsibility Report line entry may confirm Apple's car ambitions
The most recent Apple supplier report is mostly a rehash of previous years -- but includes one entry from a facility that appears to exclusively produce car parts and support equipment for automobiles.
For the first time, Apple lists Robert Bosch GmbH (or Bosch) as a supplier. Specifically, the Tuebinger Strasse 123 facility in Reutlingen, Germany.
Bosch is a multinational company that produces a great many products, including electronics components like the barometric sensor in the iPhone 6s. The facility that Apple lists as its supplier is specific to automotive electronics, with "functional areas" of research and development, and "manufacture of mobility solutions" like wheelchairs and similar.
Obviously, it is unknown what specifically Bosch provides to Apple beyond the reported barometric sensor. However, AppleInsider has confirmed with Bosch employees not authorized to speak on behalf of the company that the only products to come out of the Reutlingen facility are automotive and mobility-enhancement related. The "mobility-enhancement" products that come out of the facility are wheelchairs, gait trainers, and the like -- nothing like what Apple features on its magnet page for accessibility accessories.
It is unclear where exactly Apple stands with Project Titan. While once thought to be a whole-car project with a delivery in 2019 or 2020, more recent rumors suggest that the division has tightened up both its staffing and its focus, and is refocusing on self-driving software and supporting hardware under the aegis of long-time executive Bob Mansfield.
More recently, Apple is said to have shifted to production of self-driving car software and hardware. Reportedly, the gear is testing in a virtual reality environment to keep prototypes away from the prying eyes of the public and competitors.
In the eleventh installment of the report, Apple audited a total of 705 suppliers, up from 640 audits conducted in 2015, and the 633 audits in 2014. The report generally focuses on labor and environmental impacts of its suppliers, with this year's showing improvements in responsible sourcing, landfill diversion, and energy efficiency.
For the first time, Apple lists Robert Bosch GmbH (or Bosch) as a supplier. Specifically, the Tuebinger Strasse 123 facility in Reutlingen, Germany.
Bosch is a multinational company that produces a great many products, including electronics components like the barometric sensor in the iPhone 6s. The facility that Apple lists as its supplier is specific to automotive electronics, with "functional areas" of research and development, and "manufacture of mobility solutions" like wheelchairs and similar.
Obviously, it is unknown what specifically Bosch provides to Apple beyond the reported barometric sensor. However, AppleInsider has confirmed with Bosch employees not authorized to speak on behalf of the company that the only products to come out of the Reutlingen facility are automotive and mobility-enhancement related. The "mobility-enhancement" products that come out of the facility are wheelchairs, gait trainers, and the like -- nothing like what Apple features on its magnet page for accessibility accessories.
It is unclear where exactly Apple stands with Project Titan. While once thought to be a whole-car project with a delivery in 2019 or 2020, more recent rumors suggest that the division has tightened up both its staffing and its focus, and is refocusing on self-driving software and supporting hardware under the aegis of long-time executive Bob Mansfield.
More recently, Apple is said to have shifted to production of self-driving car software and hardware. Reportedly, the gear is testing in a virtual reality environment to keep prototypes away from the prying eyes of the public and competitors.
In the eleventh installment of the report, Apple audited a total of 705 suppliers, up from 640 audits conducted in 2015, and the 633 audits in 2014. The report generally focuses on labor and environmental impacts of its suppliers, with this year's showing improvements in responsible sourcing, landfill diversion, and energy efficiency.
Comments
We're still working more on it.
I have a bit insight into car development, from engineering to the margins involved.
to me it's much more plausible they develop a self-driving system and use e.g. Didi to have a fleet of self driving cabs, and take it from there.
Of course they explored options such as Magma, BMW and others. However apart from the complexity one should not underestimate the facts that
a) OEM hate to depend on suppliers in core technolift, especially if
b) mobility is one of the big strategic topics of all OEMs including who owns the data etc.
I think it's this Bosch, since they are a supplier of Apple.