Now that the ambitious Apple Car project has been finally abandoned (though without any official confirmation), details have emerged about the concepts and visions behind its designs. And, unlike approaches from other brands, these reveal an attempt to transform the automotive experience, prioritizing interior space and comfort in the style of a private jet. Let's look at what the Apple Car was going to be like.
The evolution of the Apple Car: A revolutionary attempt
It seems like Apple's focus was on creating a vehicle that offered an unprecedented experience in terms of comfort and interior space. Their initial vision included achieving Level 5 autonomy, which would eliminate the need for steering wheels or pedals, transforming the vehicle into a true lounge on wheels.
In this regard, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the company sought to maximize this interior space with a minimalist design and comfortable seats reminiscent of those in a limousine or private jet. This vision led Apple's designers to consider vehicles that notably deviated from the typical sports aesthetic, leaning more towards functional shapes like minivans.
One of the main designs resembled the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle, a futuristic van style with rounded edges, but characterized by black adjustable tint windows, an all-glass sunroof, pure white exteriors, and whitewall tires with a black center. Additionally, this design sought to maximize the perception of moving forward, with identical fronts in both directions of the vehicle and Tesla-like gullwing doors.
Another notable design bore a strong resemblance to the 2017 Volkswagen ID Buzz, evoking nostalgia for the 1950s Volkswagen microbus but with a modern twist. Interestingly, this concept was developed internally at Apple before Volkswagen announced its prototype, suggesting a possible direct influence between the design teams due to several Apple employees moving to Volkswagen around 2010.
However, when faced with technological and regulatory realities, Apple had to reconsider this ambition to turn the car into a "lounge on wheels". It had to adapt its designs to incorporate traditional driving elements. And, although it maintained the possibility of an experience oriented towards comfort and socialization during journeys, it was no longer the same.
After a decade of investment and development, and facing the significant challenges of achieving Level 5 autonomous driving, Apple is believed to have recently decided to end its automotive project. But everything evolves. It is very likely that the necessary technology will be developed, and in the future, we may again talk about Apple working on a revolutionary reinvention of the car, emphasizing space, comfort, and a user experience like no other, following the design philosophy that so characterizes Apple.
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