Apple increases its self-driving car research and files more patents

According to news reports on Monday, Apple has stepped up its efforts to create a self-driving car and has applied for a number of new patents in both software and hardware that pertain to the comfort of the ride, such as seats and suspension.

According to Nikkei Asia and analytics firm Intellectual Property Landscape, the iPhone maker is also developing vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, which enables automobiles to speak with one another and connect to the Internet of Things (IoT).

According to the investigation, Apple submitted 248 patent applications and published them between the years 2000 and June 1 of this year.

Eight of Apple’s applications from 2021 have already been published, however the majority still need to be.

It was reported in January 2021 that Apple and Hyundai Motor were discussing self-driving technology. Later, the South Korean car manufacturer refuted this.

Apple is still mum about its plans for autonomous vehicles.

As the maker of the iPhone prepares to introduce an electric vehicle in 2024, the business has reportedly engaged former Ford executive Desi Ujkashevic.

Ujkashevic, the global director of safety engineering at Ford, will work with Apple to create a completely driverless electric vehicle.

In addition to Ford’s Fiesta and Focus small cars, she worked on a variety of Ford and Lincoln SUVs.

TheElec reported earlier this year that Apple collaborated with a South Korean outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) business to develop the autopilot technology for its vehicles.

Additionally, it is anticipated that Apple Car would use LED screens all over the car to let other drivers know what the self-driving system is doing.

Information about braking, the vehicle’s speed, and other messages would be displayed on the display in both graphic and video form.

A ‘C1’ chip based on the A12 Bionic CPU, with in-cabin AI features including eye-tracking, is anticipated to be used in the future Apple Car.