Apple continues to advance its efforts to build a fully autonomous electric vehicle despite a number of personnel and strategy changes over the years. Now, a new Bloomberg report indicates that Apple has hired Desi Uikaszewicz, a 31-year Ford veteran, to help him ramp up efforts on the Apple Car project.
Apple Car project expands with Ford exec
Notably, Apple hired Uikaszewicz after Ford poached Doug Field from Apple last year. Tesla originally hired Field from Apple in 2013 to help lead Model 3 production. Field returned to Apple in 2018 to help lead the Apple Car project before leaving for Ford in September 2021.
Uikashevich has been with Ford since 1991, most recently as Global Director of Automotive Safety. Bloomberg notes that Uikaszewicz is particularly knowledgeable about regulation, and Apple will no doubt have to deal with this in its self-driving electric vehicle efforts.
At Ford, Uikaszewicz worked on some of the company’s most popular vehicles, including the Escape, Explorer, Fiesta and Focus. She also worked on the Lincoln MKC and Aviator projects, as well as driving Ford into the electric vehicle industry.
Apple VP of Technology Kevin Lynch is believed to be leading much of the Apple Car team and project now after Field’s departure. Apple is reportedly working on a fully self-driving electric car with an ambitious goal of launching it as early as 2025.
Sight
The rumors surrounding the Apple Car have faded and faded over the years. At some point, there were reports that the company was not interested in building a real car, but rather teamed up with an existing automaker to develop technology for their car.
Apple’s 2025 timeline is certainly ambitious and probably out of reach. However, Uikashevich’s recent hiring from Ford suggests that the company is indeed moving ahead with its electric vehicle efforts. How successful Apple will be remains to be seen, especially as the industry becomes increasingly competitive with companies like Tesla, Rivian and Ford ramping up their own EV projects.
While Apple is indeed an expert in manufacturing and supply chain management, the production and delivery of an electric vehicle is a completely different game. It also requires extensive deployment of infrastructure for things like charging and maintenance centers.
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Apple’s goal is to ditch both the traditional steering wheel and pedals in its first electric car. This indicates that the company believes its autonomous driving technology will be safe and reliable enough to do so. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has promised that his company will release a car without a steering wheel by 2021, but that apparently (shockingly) never happened.
What do you think of the latest Apple Car rumors? Let us know in the comments.
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