Apple’s self-driving test equipment
The California Department of Transportation has revoked Apple’s permit to road test self-driving cars at Apple’s request, potentially marking the end of the project.
Apple, like many other tech giants, has been testing self-driving car systems for years. But developments at the California DMV have raised questions about the project’s future.
Apple had permission to test self-driving cars on roads with safety drivers until April 30, 2025. mac reportApple contacted the DMV and revoked the manufacturer’s testing permit for its self-driving car program.
DMV then contacted Apple in a letter on September 25, confirming Apple’s request to revoke the permit and that the permit would be terminated by September 27, 2024.
Without this permission, Apple would not be able to test self-driving cars on public roads.
Apple first received permission in 2017 and has expanded its team of vehicles and drivers over time. The company previously employed more than 200 drivers on this project, but as of May 2024, there were only 68 registered vehicles and only 15 registered drivers.
With the permit revoked, the project appears to be dead for the time being, although there’s a chance that Apple might resume the project in the future.
A February report found that employees considered Apple’s Project Titan project a “Titanic disaster” and a failure. Another report in March said the challenges of a fully self-driving car system were insurmountable, even for Apple.
