[chassis]

This could be wow.

https://www.reuters.com/article/hyun...-idINKBN29D07X

[5.M0NSTER]

It would make a hell of a taxi.

[heavyD^2]

As the industry moves towards EV it makes a lot of sense for automakers to team up with software companies. Smart move by the Koreans who seem to be more proactive than the Japanese.

[stein_325i]

This could definitely be very interesting. The idea of an Apple Car alone could be a game changer, guess we'll have to wait a few years and see.

[Mingwan]

I also believe Hyundai recently purchased controlling stake of Boston Dynamics. If I'm not mistaken they control pretty much every major facet of their manufacturing, materials and export processes. They've partnered with Rimac and are now supposedly partnering with Apple to whatever extent.

What's next? "Hyundai partners with Nasa to launch satellite called Skynet." I mean, back in 2017 S.korea supposedly were developing drone swarms for warfare.

[Mingwan]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

This could definitely be very interesting. The idea of an Apple Car alone could be a game changer, guess we'll have to wait a few years and see.

Yeah, game changer as in when you buy the car and receive it, it won't come with wheels. you'll probably have to buy that afterwards as an add on. And you wont be able to go aftermarket because the wheels will have some 9 bolt pattern arranged in a rhombus shape.

[5.M0NSTER]

Originally Posted by Mingwan

Yeah, game changer as in when you buy the car and receive it, it won't come with wheels. you'll probably have to buy that afterwards as an add on. And you wont be able to go aftermarket because the wheels will have some 9 bolt pattern arranged in a rhombus shape.

And every 3 years your car will no longer be compatible with the latest firmware, and you’ll just have to buy a new “device”

[fiveohwblow]

I smell android users...

[mkoesel]

I'm skeptical that Apple will ever introduce a car of their own.

For a long time there were rumors that Apple would release a TV, and there were reportedly a number of prototypes built. But they're now very content to sell just the small Apple TV device you can plug into any TV along with their subscription based Apple TV+ streaming service (not to mention Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Fitness+, etc.).

I suspect that they may choose to go in a similar direction with their autonomous vehicle technology - a hardware component or components that can be offered by OEMs (similar to how today's CarPlay is implemented) and an additional subscription service that gives you the full Apple experience while your car drives you around. I'm sure they'll continue to employ experts in all areas of vehicle design and continue to approach the problem as if they are building from scratch, but ultimately it may make a better business sense to partner with other automakers.

[5.M0NSTER]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I'm skeptical that Apple will ever introduce a car of their own.

For a long time there were rumors that Apple would release a TV, and there were reportedly a number of prototypes built. But they're now very content to sell just the small Apple TV device you can plug into any TV along with their subscription based Apple TV+ streaming service (not to mention Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Fitness+, etc.).

I suspect that they may choose to go in a similar direction with their autonomous vehicle technology - a hardware component or components that can be offered by OEMs (similar to how today's CarPlay is implemented) and an additional subscription service that gives you the full Apple experience while your car drives you around. I'm sure they'll continue to employ experts in all areas of vehicle design and continue to approach the problem as if they are building from scratch, but ultimately it may make a better business sense to partner with other automakers.

This. Why make money once? When you can make it every month for life of user. Not a fan of that business proposition as a customer.

[duky]

Great conversation. I don't think it's fair to compare cars and TVs though. So many ways to differentiate when making a car (tech, range, performance, speed, feel, comfort/luxury, design) and also a very mature (and large) market for luxury/premium cars that Apple can disrupt. Other than the software, TVs have 1 point of differentiation really (the panel) so unless you're able to charge a ton and sell a lot (e.g., Apple XDR for pros) the value as a business is harder to see for me and I'd suspect Apple. I could see it being an interesting space for Apple if they want to jump in. And there's a lot of enhancements they could make.

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I'm skeptical that Apple will ever introduce a car of their own.

For a long time there were rumors that Apple would release a TV, and there were reportedly a number of prototypes built. But they're now very content to sell just the small Apple TV device you can plug into any TV along with their subscription based Apple TV+ streaming service (not to mention Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Fitness+, etc.).

I suspect that they may choose to go in a similar direction with their autonomous vehicle technology - a hardware component or components that can be offered by OEMs (similar to how today's CarPlay is implemented) and an additional subscription service that gives you the full Apple experience while your car drives you around. I'm sure they'll continue to employ experts in all areas of vehicle design and continue to approach the problem as if they are building from scratch, but ultimately it may make a better business sense to partner with other automakers.

They are doing some testing on autonomous vehicles in my very town.... or, so I’m toooooold.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

As the industry moves towards EV it makes a lot of sense for automakers to team up with software companies. Smart move by the Koreans who seem to be more proactive than the Japanese.

The Japanese seem to have called it a day when it comes to innovation about 20 years ago when hybrids came into existence.... mind blowing considering they were leaders in that tech then fell back in virtually every aspect after.

[chassis]

I don't see Apple assembling a vehicle, which to me means spot welding a BIW, bolting controls arms to it, installing carpet, seats, etc. There is almost no innovation in these actions. It has third party written all over it.

I'm not sure I see an Apple-branded vehicle.

I can see vehicles in the future loaded with Apple technology, in the infotainment, navigation and autonomous aspects. And possibly screens/displays, think iPhone XXXXXXL.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by chassis

I can see vehicles in the future loaded with Apple technology, in the infotainment, navigation and autonomous aspects. And possibly screens/displays, think iPhone XXXXXXL.

I agree with this. Seeing Apple technology used further than just carplay could be a really good idea. I was just in an XC40 Recharge today which uses a Google Based operating system (like Android) and it is superior to Volvo's infotainment by a large margin. Having access to Google Maps, Spotify and Google Assistant with a clean menu layout and faster processors greatly improved the usability of their infotainment systems.

[chassis]

Autonomous electric cars start of production around 2024.

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-h...-idUSKBN29F0C1

SEOUL, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor and Apple Inc plan to sign a partnership deal on autonomous electric cars by March and start production around 2024 in the United States, local newspaper Korea IT News reported on Sunday.

The report follows a statement on Friday from Hyundai Motor that it was in early talks with Apple after another local media outlet said the companies aimed to launch a self-driving electric car in 2027, sending Hyundai shares up nearly 20%.

Hyundai Motor declined to comment on the report on Sunday, and reiterated Friday's comments that it has received requests for potential cooperation from various companies on developing autonomous EVs.

Apple had no immediate comment.

An updated version of the IT news report removed details, including production location and capacity and the timeframe for signing the agreement and launching the pilot vehicles.

The previous version said the companies planned to build the cars at Kia Motors' factory in Georgia, or invest jointly in a new factory in the United States to produce 100,000 vehicles around 2024. The full annual capacity of the proposed plant would be 400,000 vehicles.

Kia Motors is an affiliate of Hyundai Motor.

The report also said Hyundai and Apple planned to release a "beta version" of the Apple cars next year.

Reuters reported last month that Apple was moving forward with autonomous car technology and aimed to produce a passenger vehicle that could include its own breakthrough battery technology as early as 2024. (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Barbara Lewis)

[Donatello.]

Hyundai & Apple, 2 companies I want nothing to do with. Pass