Apple is looking beyond mobile gadgets and has started to talk to car makers and automobile suppliers to learn how to make a self-driving electronic car.
The technology and smartphone giant has begun its research on how to make an entire automobile of its own. Apple apparently wants to build its very own and very first car. Its effort range from designing the automotive software to the entire car hardware and components, Reuters reported.
Apple has sought advice about parts and production methodologies used in electric and connected-car technologies. The company is also researching and developing its technologies relating to automated driving.
Fully automated driving is an evolution. Carmakers will slowly build the market for autonomous cars by first releasing connected and partially automated cars.
"Apple is interested in all the potential ways you can evolve the car; that includes autonomous driving", said an auto industry source.
Apple has made it clear it's serious about getting into the automobile industry. It wants to revolutionize automobile technology, which is of great interest to several Silicon Valley companies like Tesla Motors and Google Inc.
Apply CEO Tim Cook approved the automobile project in 2014 and has appointed Vice President for Design Steve Zadesky to head the new project. Zadesky use to work at Ford Motors as an engineer. He also helped lead the creation of iPod and iPhone, according to Telecom Paper.
The automotive project team is busy with research on different types of robotics, metals and any materials that will be used to build Apple's first self-driving car.