Apple Acquires Additional Tesla Brainpower
The technology behemoth hopes to achieve Level 5 autonomous driving first.
Monday, November 15, 2021 | Chimniii Desk
Key Highlights
- Many still doubt Apple's ability to produce automobiles, but recent negotiations with manufacturing powerhouse Toyota may have gotten the business a foot in the door, and now CJ Moore, a former Tesla engineer, has joined the company to aid with the new car project.
- Moore will report to Stuart Bowers, another former Tesla employee who was in charge of Tesla's Autopilot division until 2019.This is a significant move by Apple and demonstrates the company's definite intention to develop self-driving technology, but Apple is keeping all details about its vehicles carefully under wraps.
- We may not know how far along Apple is with self-driving capabilities, but Moore has indicated that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has exaggerated Tesla's genuine capabilities with self-driving technology.
- Moore indicated in an interview with officials from the California Department of Motor Vehicles that Musk's goal of launching fully autonomous vehicles by the end of 2021 was unachievable and that Musk's claims did not "meet engineering reality."
- Musk has been frightening the public with Level 5 autonomous driving for some time now, but Moore believes it is still a long way off.
- With a staff comprised entirely of former Tesla employees, it will be fascinating to see how far Apple advances in its drive for autonomy.
Advertisement
Apple's primary objective may have been to develop as many unique and complex methods of charging an electronic item as possible, but the company is now interested in developing cars. It has not been particularly effective in maintaining partners thus far, but automakers are secretly fearful of the electronics behemoth. Many still doubt Apple's ability to produce automobiles, but recent negotiations with manufacturing powerhouse Toyota may have gotten the business a foot in the door, and now CJ Moore, a former Tesla engineer, has joined the company to aid with the new car project. Moore will report to Stuart Bowers, another former Tesla employee who was in charge of Tesla's Autopilot division until 2019.
This is a significant move by Apple and demonstrates the company's definite intention to develop self-driving technology, but Apple is keeping all details about its vehicles carefully under wraps. We may not know how far along Apple is with self-driving capabilities, but Moore has indicated that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has exaggerated Tesla's genuine capabilities with self-driving technology. Moore indicated in an interview with officials from the California Department of Motor Vehicles that Musk's goal of launching fully autonomous vehicles by the end of 2021 was unachievable and that Musk's claims did not "meet engineering reality." One cannot but but wonder what former Tesla employees think of the company's assertions.
At the moment, vehicles such as the Tesla Model S and Model 3 operate on a Level 2 autonomous driving system, which needs the driver to maintain constant contact with the steering wheel. Musk has been frightening the public with Level 5 autonomous driving for some time now, but Moore believes it is still a long way off. Apple has also engaged the assistance of Urlich Kranz, the former CEO of autonomous vehicle startup Canoo, and several former Tesla execs, including Michael Schwekutsch, head of drivetrains, and Steve MacManus, head of interiors. With a staff comprised entirely of former Tesla employees, it will be fascinating to see how far Apple advances in its drive for autonomy.
Advertisement