Apple's Self-Driving Test Rig
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The California Department of Motor Vehicles has revoked Apple's permit to test self-driving cars on the road at the company's request, which could mean the end of the project.
Apple, like many other tech giants, has been testing self-driving car systems for several years. However, a development at the California DMV has cast doubt on the project’s future.
Apple had a permit to test self-driving cars on public roads with a safety driver until April 30, 2025. According to MacReports, Apple contacted the DMV to revoke the manufacturer’s permit to test its self-driving car program.
The DMV then contacted Apple by letter on September 25, confirming Apple’s request to revoke the permit and that it would end by September 27, 2024.
Without the permit, Apple will no longer be able to test self-driving cars on public roads.
Apple first received its permit in 2017, and has expanded its fleet and team of drivers over time. While it previously hired more than 200 drivers for the project, as of May 2024, the company had 68 registered vehicles and just 15 registered drivers.
While the revoked permit leaves open the possibility that Apple could resume operations in the future, it appears that the project is dead for now.
In February, a report revealed that employees considered Apple's Project Titan a “Titanic disaster” and a failure. Another report in March suggested that the challenge of creating a fully autonomous vehicle system was insurmountable, even for Apple.
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