Apple Car Project Titan: Reuters points to a 2024 launch

Back in 2014, the first details emerged about the "Titan" project - what was expected to become Apple’s first car. After several years of work, the effort ran into a number of setbacks, including the departure of some key figures, and it ultimately appeared to have been put on hold.

Instead of pushing ahead with a fully electric, self-driving vehicle under its own badge, Apple redirected its attention towards building software and autonomous-driving technologies that could be sold - profitably - to the wider automotive industry.

Apple Car and Project "Titan" back in the headlines

Reports of the Apple car’s demise now seem to have been "manifestly exaggerated", according to information cited by Reuters.

If developing technology for autonomous vehicles remains a priority for Apple, the most likely scenario - based on what has been reported - is that we will see those capabilities first in a car carrying Apple’s own emblem. For now, we would still need to wait until 2024, the year mentioned for its launch - with pandemic-related delays potentially pushing the release into 2025 or 2026. Alongside self-driving technology, the project is also said to be bringing innovative battery technology.

Autonomous driving software and the new battery technology

Reuters notes that progress on batteries is precisely what could make the project viable. The batteries are expected to be "radically" cheaper thanks to a new design, while also promising a significant increase in driving range.

The battery being discussed could take the form of a kind of single "cell", without modules or pouches. That would allow better use of the available space and, as a result, make it possible to fit in more battery capacity - something similar was shown by Tesla during its "Battery Day" when it unveiled the new 4680 batteries.

It is also being suggested that the new battery chemistry could be lithium iron phosphate (LFP), which avoids using cobalt in the cathode, lowering costs, even though it also reduces energy density. However, it is less prone to overheating, making it safer.

Who will build the Apple car?

Apple may have cutting-edge technical solutions for its own vehicle, but as recent history with Tesla shows, manufacturing cars can be a real "hell".

Rumours indicate Apple could rely on an external supplier for the job, such as Magna International, which has extensive experience producing vehicles for multiple brands - including the Jaguar I-Pace, the Toyota GR Supra and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, among others.

Nothing has been confirmed yet and, according to Reuters, there is still the possibility that the Apple car project could once again take a step back, returning solely to developing autonomous-driving systems intended to be integrated into vehicles from other manufacturers.

Source: Reuters.