The Apple Car is Coming — kinda. New reports show Apple might take Tesla…
By: Henry Gruett
Tags: Technology, Tech, Apple, Tesla, Cars

Photo by Taneli Lahtinen on Unsplash

The Apple Car is Coming — kinda

New reports show Apple might take Tesla on from a new angle

Digitimes, a Taiwanese tech publication, recently leaked that Apple is working with the chip TMZ (who makes Apple Silicon) to create a chip for cars. Before we dive into what this means, it should be disclosed that Digitimes has a record of around 65% accuracy at the time of writing this. So take everything with a grain of salt.

This isn’t the first time rumors have suggested that Apple has been reaching into Tesla’s lane (sorry). We’ve been hearing rumors around “Project Titan” for many years. Apple apparently at one time even tried to buy Tesla in 2013 for $230 a share. That’s about what it was worth in 2019. Apple was obviously trying really hard to get their hands around the budding car company.

Our current rumors point towards Apple not working on a new car, but rather self-driving silicon chips. These chips would be available to other manufactures to put into their own cars.

Photo by Laura Ockel on Unsplash

Why This Is a Big Deal

Tesla has, until this point, been really the only real innovator in the self-driving car game. Yes, there are plenty of other company startups that are trying to build autonomous taxi services and other likes, but Tesla is miles ahead.

Unlike other companies, Tesla is in the real world. And not just the streets of one carefully mapped out city but literally worldwide in the hands of any consumer who buys one. And that means Tesla has data. Lots and lots of data.

Apple’s “Project Titan” is the first real competition for Tesla, not because of data, but because it’s one of the world’s biggest companies. And now it turns out Apple probably isn’t working on an actual car. Just chips to go in other cars.

If true, this is bad news for Tesla. Other car manufactures will be able to now add Apple’s self-driving capabilities into their own vehicles, instantly making them on par with Tesla.

As for data, Tesla is still a relatively small car company. Yet, if Apple’s chips could be collecting data from cars produced by a bunch of manufacturers. With the whole team of models that will get Apple’s treatment, they can easily start collecting much more data than Tesla.

Photo by Tamara Chemij from Burst

This is Really Unlike the Apple We Know

Apple usually targets consumers. It’s odd that they’re making a part that goes into a different product they have no control over. Apple has historically never licensed out their operating systems or hardware (usually).

It’s interesting that Apple is choosing to make a part now. I wouldn’t be surprised that if Apple forces car manufacturers to go through a rigorous process before they have the ability to add the chip. This would be pretty much Apple’s only defense to making sure their products only appear in the top of the line cars. Apple is very worried about its image is and giving up these rains is… different.

Photo by Charlie Deets on Unsplash

Is This Going to Kill Tesla?

Let’s, first of all, remember this is only a rumor. From there keep in mind that just because Apple is developing something doesn’t mean it will actually come out. But let’s say Apple does develop this and does in fact release it to the world. Would Tesla be in trouble?

No, probably not. But it would defiantly give them some competition.

Tesla, to this point, has had basically no competition at the same level as them. They’ve been able to rule the world and get all of the spotlights in the techy-car world. This chip would not only be a new competitor but a really big threat.

Apple has a strong relationship with companies like TMZ and with many other production line companies. Tesla, on the other hand, is relatively young and still making relationships with other companies.

This will definitely be interesting to keep an eye on. I look forward to seeing what comes to fruition.