According to reports as of October 2016, Apple believed that its self-driving technology – specifically giving it the opportunity to either partner with an existing automaker or return to developing its own car later on, in which managers fought over where Titan was going. Project leader Steve Zadesky left earlier this year.
Hundreds of people on the “Project Titan” (see below for more information about the project itself) team have either left on their own, or been reassigned or cut. The remaining staff have allegedly been given a late 2017 deadline to prove the practicality of the self-driving technology, at which point the company is expected to decide on a final direction.
Sources exclusively told AppleInsider that work is underway at a site located off of Apple's Cupertino campus, just minutes from 1 Infinite Loop. An investigation confirmed that Apple does indeed have a large presence at the location, and numerous automotive-related renovations, including an "auto work area" and a "repair garage" that have been constructed at the premises. At least one neighbor has complained about motor noises late at night.
The design and technology behind "Project Titan" remain very much in flux, sources have said, with Apple at one point considering using BMW's i3 as the basis for its project. Apple and BMW have held talks about a potential partnership, though recently it was reported that both BMW and Daimler have ended talks with Apple over who might lead the project and own data.
A possible manufacturer is the Austrian division of Magna Steyr. One German report indicated that Apple has a secret car lab in Berlin, staffed by about 15 to 20 "top-class" people from the German auto industry working on issues like vehicle concepts, manufacturing partnerships, and sales/governmental obstacles.
In July 2014, the city of Sunnyvale approved Apple plans to establish an "auto testing center" separate from the SG5 facility, intended for testing "new electronic technologies that are integrated into high-end cars."
On the other hand, the company is meanwhile said to be developing charging infrastructure by hiring engineers and talking technology with firms that supply charging stations. An unknown engineering and construction firm has reportedly approached Apple about offering services.
Furthermore, the project faced leadership turmoil regarding direction, and it seems to be scaling back on the project to focus on self-driving technology.
http://appleinsider.com/futures/apple-car
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