Apple Reportedly in Active Talks With Multiple LiDAR Sensor Suppliers for Self-Driving Vehicle

Apple is in discussions with multiple suppliers of LiDAR sensors appropriate for a self-driving vehicle, according to Bloomberg. The report claims Apple is looking for sensors that would still be considered "cutting edge" four to five years from now.

Apple car wheel icon feature yellow
As widely rumored, the report claims Apple has been working on a driverless vehicle project for several years. Apple is said to have independently developed most of the necessary software and artificial intelligence algorithms needed for the vehicle, but the so-called "Apple Car" is still believed to be years away from a potential release.

From the report:

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is in active talks with a number of potential suppliers for these laser-based sensors that allow a car's computer to "see" its surroundings, said the people, who asked not to be identified due to the private nature of the discussions. The company has been working on a driverless vehicle project for several years and has developed on its own most of the necessary software, underlying processors and artificial intelligence algorithms needed for such a sophisticated system.

In regulatory filings earlier this month, Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia said they are not in discussions with Apple over development of a self-driving vehicle. Hyundai had previously stated that it was in talks with Apple.

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Top Rated Comments

farewelwilliams Avatar
54 months ago

No they didn’t. Tesla’s cameras don’t work in rain. Lidar can be made to work in rain, and even in snow, if it’s powerful enough. Passive sensors like cameras are limited. Musk just want to take the cheap way out.
Wrong.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farewelwilliams Avatar
54 months ago

and what exactly do you base this on? another rumor or facts?
based on video evidence

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farewelwilliams Avatar
54 months ago

Wow that's incredible. Look at this amazing device too.


One video shows a product being used by an actual customer. And the other video shows a product that got publicly cancelled. Nice try comparing the two though.

I hope you're not betting your puts on that media circus that'll never happen.

Anyways, see ya. ?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
melgross Avatar
54 months ago

not needed for self driving. lidar doesn’t even work in heavy rain. tesla got it right, pure vision is all that is needed for FSD.
No they didn’t. Tesla’s cameras don’t work in rain. Lidar can be made to work in rain, and even in snow, if it’s powerful enough. Passive sensors like cameras are limited. Musk just want to take the cheap way out.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
54 months ago
Tomorrow's headline:

"XYZ Lidar Company denies talking to Apple..."

?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farewelwilliams Avatar
54 months ago

Tesla “thinks” they got it right. I still haven’t seen a full self driving update.

I’m personally hoping Tesla has to retrofit every car they’ve sold because they can’t do it with what they put in the car. I would love that media circus.
See it here



or here

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)