Apple’s patented sunroof hints self-driving car project still a go

Apple’s intention to enter the automotive market has been floating for several years. The tech company reportedly plans to unveil its self-driving electric car in 2025 but there are no concrete details in regards to its endeavor as of yet. 

Apple's self-driving car is reportedly coming in 2025 [Photo shown is just for reference]

Recently, Motorterend reports that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted Apple a patent for a new car sunroof, hinting at the possibility that the tech giant is working on its self-driving electric car.  

Apple’s application to patent its sunroof was filed in 2016 and was modified in 2020. The patented sunroof is not too special or revolutionary when you look into the available information as of this writing. It’s basically the typical car sunroof integrated into modern cars that features a retractable glass roof with variable translucence.

The said tech allows the sunroof to regulate the intensity of light that enters the cabin through the sunroof. But, Apple’s patented sunroof could allow the variable translucence feature to be integrated with an opening sunroof panel instead of being fixed in place. The patent also states that the sunroof can slide in sequence with the side windows or doors.

Apple approached Toyota for its self-driving car project

The Apple self-driving car project, which is internally known as Project Titan, can be described as a tug of war affair with a particular side yet to pull through. There have been reports that Apple is in talks with automotive giants such as Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan in regards to its self-driving car. But those talks led to nowhere, stalling Apple’s progress.

It has also approached Toyota in regards to the possibility of mass-producing the Apple Car. But it seems that Apple’s sit down with the world’s top-selling car brand led to a dead end. 

With the series of talks arguably leading to nowhere, the Apple self-driving car project could indeed take time to come to fruition. On the other hand, Apple might just be playing coy in regards to the matter and prefers to not lay down its cards just yet.

Sony is determined to enter the electric vehicle market

Sony is another tech company that’s determined to venture into the automotive industry. The company that introduced PlayStation is looking for new technology partners to further help its EV project. Currently, it already has two concept EVs, which are the Vision-S01 sedan, and Vision-S02 SUV. 

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