Apple continues to make progress in its efforts to create a fully self-driving electric car, despite a number of staff changes and changes in strategy over the years. A new Bloomberg report now shows that Apple has hired Desi Uikashevich, a 31-year veteran of Ford, to help it step up its efforts on the Apple Car project.
The Apple Car project is expanding with Ford Exec
In particular, Apple’s hiring of Uikashevich comes after Ford chased Doug Field against Apple last year. Tesla originally hired Field from Apple in 2013 to help run the production ramp for the Model 3. Field landed back at Apple in 2018 to help lead the Apple Car project before leaving for Ford in September 2021. .
Uikasevic has worked for Ford since 1991, most recently as global director of automotive safety engineering. Bloomberg points out that Uikashevich has been particularly adept at navigating regulatory issues, which is something Apple will certainly have to deal with in its efforts to supply a self-driving electric vehicle.
At Ford, Uikashevich is working on a number of the company’s most popular vehicles, including the Escape, Explorer, Fiesta and Focus. She has also worked on Lincoln MKC and Aviator projects, as well as Ford’s push in the electric car industry.
Apple’s vice president of technology, Kevin Lynch, is believed to be leading most of Apple’s team and project today after leaving Field. Apple is reportedly working on a fully self-driving electric car, with the ambitious goal of launching it in 2025.
9to5Mac’s Take
Rumors about the Apple Car have waned over the years. Reports at one point suggest that the company is not interested in making an actual car, but rather is teaming up with an existing carmaker to develop the technology for its car.
Apple’s schedule for 2025 is certainly ambitious and probably unattainable. However, Uikashevich’s latest hire from Ford signals that the company is indeed moving forward with its efforts for electric cars. It remains to be seen how successful Apple will be, especially as the industry becomes increasingly competitive with companies such as Tesla, Rivian and Ford, which are stepping up their own electric car projects.
Although Apple is indeed an expert in production management and the supply chain, the production and delivery of an electric car is a very different ball game. It also requires extensive deployment of infrastructure for things like charging and service centers.
Apple’s goal for its first electric vehicle is to abandon both the traditional steering wheel and the pedals. This signals that the company believes that its self-driving technology will be safe and reliable enough to do so. Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised that his company would send a vehicle without a steering wheel by 2021, but this obviously (shockingly) did not happen.
What do you think about the latest rumors about Apple Car? Let us know in the comments.
FTC: We use automated affiliates to earn revenue. More ▼.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:
Add Comment