Apple confirms interest in technology of autonomous cars – Globo.com

After much speculation about a possible project of autonomous car, Apple has confirmed its interest in the technology, in a letter to the government body transport of United States (NHTSA). However, it is not what many expected.

Steve Kenner, director of product at Apple, made the comments on the new guidelines for testing with vehicles that walk alone, but there is no assertion that the company works on the design of a car, such as Google, but rather in the software that “will steer” these units.

The document of 5 pages was sent on the 22nd of November and ask for it not to be applied too many rules that hinder the testing and development of autonomous systems, primarily to give the opening to new participants.

“The company invests heavily in the study of machine-learning (machine learning) and automation, and is excited about the potential of autonomous systems in various areas, including in transport,” says the letter.

In accordance with the ideas of the NHTSA, the tech giant suggests that the companies share data from collisions and accidents, and says that he is ready to discuss with rivals the that should be common knowledge, without leaving the privacy of users.

Kenner also sends a message to the major manufacturers of vehicles. “Automakers already established and new participants must be treated equally,” says the letter.

New strategy
In October, american newspapers reported that Apple have cut off part of a team of Project Titan, as it would be called internally. The layoffs sinalizariam a change in strategy, which would be focused now on the development of software, not in the product.

The company keeps secret and never confirmed plans of an own vehicle, but it is considered by experts as one of the main participants of the “race” for the technology.

Fight of the giants
Google has been a leader in vehicle testing without a driver on public roads, taking the automakers traditional to invest heavily to avoid being overcome. The company has not disclosed what will be your business strategy yet, but promised that such cars would be ready for production in 2020.

Also newcomer in the automotive industry, Tesla is another manufacturer that leads the use of technology. In June of this year, the company faced controversy after the 1st death recorded with one of their vehicles in stand-alone mode.

The Ford you want to start selling autonomous cars with “affordable” for the general public from 2025. Uber has already begun to test the technology in the United States, to reduce one of their largest expenses: driver.