Apple Inc. might be getting a big boost to its efforts to develop self-driving cars as it is reportedly looking at acquiring autonomous vehicle startup Drive.ai.
Apple has been working toward developing its own self-driving program for the past few years with Tim Cook confirming the company was working on the technology in 2017. The move to acquire Drive.ai would not just give Apple vehicles that are currently being tested in Texas but also engineers to develop Apple’s own version of a vehicle, according to The Information.
While Drive.ai has been testing an on-demand self-driving service in Frisco, Texas with its fleet of orange vans, reports are the company has been struggling and is looking to be acquired. Neither company has confirmed a deal is in the works, but the acquisition could be a perfect fit given Apple’s struggles to develop its own technology for self-driving cars.
Previously, Apple was seen testing its self-driving technology on the streets in Silicon Valley as part of its so-called Project Titan — the code name for its autonomous driving program. This was after it shifted its focus from developing a fully electric autonomous vehicle to technology that other automotive OEMs would use on their own vehicles.
Earlier this year, Apple laid off more than 200 employees from its Project Titan program leading many to believe Apple had abandoned its self-driving ambitions. However, Reuters reported that the iPhone/iPad maker was in talks with at least four companies for lidar sensors and was looking to rekindle its efforts to build the technology.
