Apple's 'Project Titan' at crossroads, team in hiring freeze, source says
Apple has placed a hiring freeze on the team responsible for the company's nascent automotive ambitions after executives became unhappy with the project's direction and progress, AppleInsider has learned.
Artist's (poor) rendering of an Apple garage.
The change was precipitated by a post-holiday progress review conducted by Apple design chief Jony Ive, according to a previously reliable source with knowledge of the team's activities. Ive is said to have "expressed his displeasure" with the group's headway.
In all, Apple is believed to have more than 1,000 people working on Project Titan at sites both inside and outside of Cupertino. Hiring was so aggressive that Apple's poaching of engineering talent from Tesla is thought to have had a "big impact" on the Elon Musk-led company's ability to keep up with development of future vehicles.
The news comes days after a report that Steve Zadesky, a longtime Apple engineering lead who was initially put in charge of Project Titan, would leave the company. It's not immediately clear whether Zadesky's departure -- said to be for "personal reasons" -- is related to the staffing restrictions.
Apple's car initiative has seen multiple setbacks in recent months as the company works to meet an ambitious schedule that would have final engineering completed by 2019.
In September, AppleInsider learned that manufacturing issues had forced Apple to consider partnering with an established automaker. The company is thought to have spoken with BMW about a tie-up that could involve using BMW's electric i3 model as a development platform, though the German marque is seemingly reluctant to enter into such an agreement.
Apple is said to be particularly interested in BMW thanks to the company's willingness to move beyond traditional approaches to carmaking with the i3.
Artist's (poor) rendering of an Apple garage.
The change was precipitated by a post-holiday progress review conducted by Apple design chief Jony Ive, according to a previously reliable source with knowledge of the team's activities. Ive is said to have "expressed his displeasure" with the group's headway.
In all, Apple is believed to have more than 1,000 people working on Project Titan at sites both inside and outside of Cupertino. Hiring was so aggressive that Apple's poaching of engineering talent from Tesla is thought to have had a "big impact" on the Elon Musk-led company's ability to keep up with development of future vehicles.
The news comes days after a report that Steve Zadesky, a longtime Apple engineering lead who was initially put in charge of Project Titan, would leave the company. It's not immediately clear whether Zadesky's departure -- said to be for "personal reasons" -- is related to the staffing restrictions.
Apple's car initiative has seen multiple setbacks in recent months as the company works to meet an ambitious schedule that would have final engineering completed by 2019.
In September, AppleInsider learned that manufacturing issues had forced Apple to consider partnering with an established automaker. The company is thought to have spoken with BMW about a tie-up that could involve using BMW's electric i3 model as a development platform, though the German marque is seemingly reluctant to enter into such an agreement.
Apple is said to be particularly interested in BMW thanks to the company's willingness to move beyond traditional approaches to carmaking with the i3.
Comments
Scratch that 'next big thing'
How about we do a TV guys?
At this point I am not sure how Apple would improve upon the user experience of driving. Personally I am not into self driving cars, self driving train that works for me. But driving a cars is a personal experience I enjoy doing. Today I take mostly back road driving to work which I a little longer but I enjoy the drive far better than taking the regular commute routes.
But automating the home is a far more complicated problems, not every home in the world is built the same way so their are so many problems to solve this will only complicated the solution. In a sense, it easy to build a car than automate most homes, The car you control all the systems in a home someone else over many years made decision about the control systems.
Also, "carmaking" is not a real word.
Really, is this what we're gonna do today? We're gonna fight?
https://www.google.com/search?q="carmaking"&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=nws&sa=X&biw=1326&bih=1135
youve read these accounts from whom?
Well, if you're going to do that, how about a Command button on the steering wheel somewhere. Oh, wait, self driving = no steering wheel. Nevermind.
I'm sure it will support 3rd party multi-pedal interfaces as via USB & Bluetooth
Probably even the Logitech pedals that use the Unifying Receiver dongles.
On the other hand, if it exists, you can bet that the thing will be more stylish than that aberration on wheels that is the Google prototype, any self esteemed car guy probably would prefer to be found dead at the side of the road than seen at the helm of that hideous thing, competing with the Aztek and the first generation Ssangyong Rodius for the ugliest thing on wheels.
Several times a week when I appreciate how rapidly my MBPR does EVERYTHING. This site should be renamed iOS Insider.