Apple’s much-anticipated electric car project with self-driving capabilities has been officially canceled after nearly a decade in the works, leaving many in the tech world surprised and disappointed.
The company made the announcement to employees in an internal meeting on Tuesday, revealing that the project had been scrapped and team members would be reassigned to different roles within Apple, including the artificial intelligence division. This move comes as a rare setback for Apple, known for its secrecy and high-profile product launches.
Kevin Lynch, an executive involved in the car project, will now report to John Giannandrea, Apple’s head of artificial intelligence strategy, as part of the restructuring. While Apple declined to comment on the news, reports of the cancellation were first reported by Bloomberg.
The electric car, internally known as Titan and Project 172, was intended to rival Tesla’s electric vehicles and included autonomous driving features. The project was seen as crucial for Apple’s future growth and innovation, especially as the company has faced challenges in finding new avenues for expansion beyond the iPhone.
Apple CEO Tim Cook had hinted at the company’s interest in the car space, and Apple had been testing hundreds of vehicles with autonomous driving technology on public roads for years. The cancellation of the project is a blow to Mr. Cook’s legacy and raises questions about Apple’s ability to innovate and deliver groundbreaking products.
Despite the setback, Apple has continued to invest heavily in research and development, spending $113 billion in the last five years on developing new technologies. While the electric car project may have been shelved, Apple remains committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and creating products that shape the future.
