Apple Receives Permit To Test Self Driving Cars In California

I used to detest Apple products. So much so that I stared a blog in college about how much the world annoyed me based solely on my hatred for the iPod I had. The blog was small, but the hate was enormous. I went as far as making up products for them like the iShower that melted you with acid, and the iShitter that sprayed poop back up at you when you flushed. Clearly I was not a fan.

Now, I only buy Apple for the majority of my everyday electronics. My last 3 cellphones have been iPhones, I own a MacBook Pro, I use my Applte TV daily, and I think Apple car play is fantastic. I’m no fan boy and don’t line up when a new product comes out, but I will trumpet the products effective simplicity to anyone.

And let’s face it, Apple news is big news. They are a massive company who are expert marketers. The Apple car has been in the rumor mill for god knows how long, but there might be a blip on the radar that shows they could really be making the car sooner rather than later.

Apple Inc (AAPL.O) has secured a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California, fuelling speculation that it is working on self-driving car technology in a crowded arena of companies hoping to offer those cars to the masses.

The permit allows it to conduct test drives in three vehicles with six drivers, the state Department of Motor Vehicles said on Friday. The vehicles are all 2015 Lexus RX450h, according to the DMV.

The permit does not mean Apple is definitely building a car. “This is not necessarily automobiles as initially rumoured, but software or possibly hardware associated with autonomous technology,” Theodore said.

An Apple spokesman declined to comment directly on the filing, pointing back to a statement the company made in November when it wrote to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the subject of regulating self-driving vehicles.

We have no idea what the car will look like or if it’s ever a thing really, but applying for a self driving car permit seems like a pretty big deal.

Then again, it could all just be a clever rouse to stick it to Google. The two companies don’t really see eye to eye on a lot of things. Whatever the reason for this application, it’s news. Because Apple is big news. Anything Apple does is known the world over because of who the company is. Only time will tell if the car is real, but if it is you can bet money people will line up around a store for one.

(Source: Reuters)