Apple acquires autonomous shuttle firm – report

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Tech giant Apple confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired self-driving shuttle company, Drive.ai as the former continues to scoop up autonomous vehicle expertise for the development of its own self-driving vehicles.

Drive.ai had been running a fleet of test shuttles in Texas, United States, the news wire quoted The Information as saying, however the firm had told California regulators that a permanent closure is planned, and 90 people to be laid off as a result, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

Apple acquires autonomous shuttle firm – report

Waymo’s first product, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid MPV.

Apple has been revamping its manpower for its autonomous vehicle development work, with former Tesla engineer Doug Field now overseeing the tech company’s operation which is currently comprised of more than 5,000 staff. Apple also goes up against traditional tech rival Alphabet, parent company of Google via Waymo which recently entered into an exclusive agreement with Groupe Renault and Nissan.

The move to acquire start-ups – usually struggling ones – for their talent is known in tech circles as an ‘acqui-hire’, though it was unclear if all 90 expected layoffs from the Drive.ai closure will be re-hired by Apple, which had gone through rounds of its own Project Titan staff layoffs most recently in January. Apple is also currently in talks with potential suppliers for for key components, such as sensors.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Gabriel on Jun 28, 2019 at 12:30 pm

    Apple, Google android or Grab to auto supremacy.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Michael Goh on Jun 28, 2019 at 12:47 pm

      Apple is a clever company. They know what to acquire. Last time when Proton had so much of money reserves, instead of giving 12 months bonus, should have acquired ailing car company like Kia.

      Today Kia sells 8 millions cars per annum and Proton sells 55,000.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 5
      • The Truth about Kia on Jun 28, 2019 at 1:26 pm

        In the 90s, Kia was doing very badly. Korean Government wanted to sell it badly. Could have bought the company for less than even RM100 mil

        Proton was light years ahead of Hyundai and Kia. Today terbalik

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 5
        • Shaharul on Jun 29, 2019 at 9:41 am

          Steve Jobs left a legacy of hard working people.

          Here, people just relax and goyang kaki only

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • Mohd Suhaimi bin Sabtu on Jun 28, 2019 at 1:13 pm

      Entitlement mentality has created a culture of laziness.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 4
      • M.Hafiz on Jun 28, 2019 at 2:03 pm

        True that bruh. The worst poison for the soul is the disease of entitlement. It destroys any hope for happiness. It nurtures the illusion of unfairness. It feeds the toxic emotions of jealousy, hatred, envy, and/or self-pity. The truth is that none of us are entitled to anything in life. The world owes us nothing. We deserve nothing. The world will go on with or without us.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • Vader on Jun 28, 2019 at 2:36 pm

      Like wow. Some just never gets tired of having conversions with himself.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
      • Zaman Khan on Jun 28, 2019 at 4:36 pm

        yes john, we believe you

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
        • Nasi kerabu on Jun 28, 2019 at 8:08 pm

          Enough of this game over behaviour Vader (john)! Please use your own ID to comment and also we don’t want any fights.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
        • Vader on Jun 28, 2019 at 11:11 pm

          Haha. Yeah sure. Coming from a kid like you. Go search my comments dated back way before you even existed.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
      • Dinesh on Jun 28, 2019 at 5:41 pm

        the only one here with dupes is john. learn your facts yea

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 5
      • Jihan on Jun 29, 2019 at 9:54 am

        this is a motoring blog. I am not interested in your frustrations. make constructive comments

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • 6G Donald Duck network 2030 on Jun 28, 2019 at 2:02 pm

    So revolutionary Apple car could be powered by royal gala or red washington juice battery cell and 6G autonomous navigation.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
 

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