Nikkei and a Tokyo analytics company discovered that Apple is pushing into automobile-related technologies based on their recent patent applications, as reported by Nikkei Asia.
(Photo : NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)
The Apple logo is seen at the entrance of an Apple store in Washington, DC, on September 14, 2021.
The discovery showed that Apple had filed patents in self-driving and other vehicle software. It also includes hardware related to riding comfort, like seats and suspension.
Apple seems to also be targeting vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology that will allow vehicles to communicate with each other and connect to the Internet of Things. With this, it shows that the tech giant is on the move to establish its own platform and join the EV industry.
As of June 1, Apple applied for and published 248 automobile-related patents after 2000. Usually, it takes 18 months after filing a patent for it to be published. While most of the company's applications in 2021 have yet to be published, eight were. And that number is set to increase this year.
Apple filed 27 applications in 2020, and five were published at the same time in 2021. Their patent applications peaked in 2017 and then tapered off temporarily.
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Apple and Automobiles
Apple got involved in the automobile industry in 2014 through their project Titan. The aim is to develop a self-driving electric vehicle. Now that the market for smartphones is maturing, there are speculations that Apple will use its technology and manufacturing power to enter the vehicle sector.
In fact, in 2021, Hyundai Motor was said to be in talks with the tech giant. However, it was later denied by the South Korean automaker.
Apple remains mum about its ambitions, but these filed patents only reveal that the company is making progress in its automobile technology.
It was in 2008 when vehicle-related patent applications by the company gathered steam, a year after the release of the iPhone. However, Apple sought to focus on connectivity between iPhones and vehicles. Specifically, its efforts were focused on navigation, which paved the way for the launch of Apple CarPlay.
In 2016, patent applications started to increase, and by 2017, the company had filed a record 66 applications, and that includes those related to autonomous driving.
Apple's Journey Towards Autonomous Vehicles
Apple has been eyeing the self-driving and EV industry for some time now. The company has been showing interest in these industries as they are where the future is.
Major companies like Waymo and Tesla have been working on self-driving technologies and electric vehicles. These companies have been installed with all the newest technologies, while Apple is a latecomer to the industry. But that doesn't mean that it won't be able to make the same impact. Apple has the money to catch up, and that is what it is doing through patent applications.
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Written by April Fowell
