Apple Car Accelerates Testing, Navigates New Autonomous Roadmap
Apple tested its self-driving car technology more than ever last year, logging almost 450,000 miles of autonomous driving in California between December 2022 and November 2023, according to DMV data. However, that is reportedly tiny compared to the millions of miles of testing logged by other corporations.
The increased testing indicates that genuine work is being done on Apple’s long-rumored automobile project, despite lower expectations. While Apple’s secretive vehicle project has little to show for its six years of labor, the latest statistics filed by the company to a California agency reveal significant progress.
The data spans December 2022 to November 2023, wherein Apple quadrupled its autonomous testing miles on public roads compared to the previous year. In August, the testing miles peaked at 83,900, reflecting Apple’s commitment to advancing autonomous technology.
As of now, Apple has been granted permission to test autonomous vehicle technology on California’s public roads, but only with a safety driver behind the wheel. This allows Apple and other autonomous vehicle businesses to collect more data and evaluate how their software handles in traffic.
Compared to more advanced autonomous vehicle developers, such as Alphabet’s Waymo, Apple’s testing totals are significantly lower. Waymo logged 3.7 million testing miles in California with a safety driver and 1.2 million miles without one. Additionally, Waymo drove an additional 1.6 million miles with passengers in the car.
The recent data released by the California government sheds light on Apple’s autonomous vehicle ambitions amid industry shifts. Bloomberg reported last month that Apple had scaled back its plans to develop a self-driving electric vehicle. The company now aims to focus on developing automated driving-assistance capabilities, similar to those provided by established manufacturers like Tesla, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz.
This shift in strategy allows Apple to offer advanced features while still requiring drivers to pay attention to the road. Bloomberg’s report also revealed that the expected debut date for Apple’s scaled-down electric vehicle has been pushed back from 2026 to 2028.
It is worth noting that while Apple’s testing numbers may be lower than its competitors, the company’s strategic approach and commitment to the project indicate a determination to carve out a place for itself in the autonomous vehicle market. With the reported increase in testing miles, Apple’s progress should not be underestimated.
This latest development in Apple’s autonomous vehicle project will undoubtedly pique the interest of industry experts and tech enthusiasts alike. As Apple navigates its new autonomous roadmap, all eyes will be on the company to see how it will shape the future of self-driving cars.
With each passing milestone, Apple inches closer to making its mark in the autonomous vehicle industry. As the competition grows fiercer, the stage is set for an intriguing battle between tech giants and automobile manufacturers.
