Apple’s Autos: Driving Into the Future
California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) just dropped a fresh batch of records that shows Apple is secretly building a fleet of real‑world testers for its self‑driving cars.
How the Numbers Grow (and Shrink)
- August 2023 – 92 pilots & 69 test cars
- September 2023 – 114 registered drivers (thanks, “test‑pilot” quota)
- October 2022 – a high‑point of 154 driver permits before the hit‑and‑miss of 2023
Apple didn’t hit the 154‑driver mark in September, but those numbers are creeping back up after a roughly half‑price cut in 2023’s driver count. It looks like the tech giant is slowly rebuilding its “brain‑in‑a‑car” program.
Why It Matters
Every new driver listed is a fresh experiment in the wild: data collection, safety testing, and unlikely inside‑car conversations about how to pull over when the pedestrian seatbelt is obviously missing.
Glimpses of Apple’s Test Lab
- “Pilot” credentials are not just a fancy title – it’s a real license for a human in the loop.
- Tested cars pack “privacy & safety” as key ingredients, and they’re all packed with sensors that could make a Swiss army knife jealous.
- Apple is quietly ramping up the number of drivers, which is a sign that the company is finally picking up speed after a slower month last year.
So, if you’re looking for the next test‑drive, keep an eye on the DMV data. Apple’s been quietly turning its driving dreams into concrete numbers, and the road ahead is well worth a look.
Apple, Cruise, and Waymo: A “Who’s Got the Car-riage Tickets First?” Race
In the fast‑moving world of self‑driving, 2024 is turning into a real‑life Gumball Showdown. Apple’s steam‑roller Apple Car edges behind GM’s Cruise and Waymo’s already-committed lineup, but the numbers speak for themselves.
Fleet Numbers – The Quick Roll‑Call
- Waymo: 606 autonomous cars parked on California streets, plus 34 fully license‑graded “driverless” permits.
- GM Cruise: 201 packed into the state’s side‑by‑side moving fleets.
- Apple: Still playing the waiting game – as of now, zero verified driverless permits or vans on the road.
Why the Numbers Matter
Car permitting is like trophy gold in the autonomous arena. The more permits, the more “driver‑free” territories an autoworker commands. Waymo’s lead, followed by Cruise, leaves Apple a little behind, racing uphill from where its main battery factory is located.
Accident Report – A Dodge of a Numbers Game
Record‑keeping isn’t shy. The California DMV reports that Apple’s quick pivot to the self‑drive lane has resulted in five collisions over the last year.
Now, how do we feel about those? According to the DMV, the majority of incidents involve other drivers’ mistakes or Apple’s own activated systems being turned off while the vehicle was still cruising. In sum, Apple’s “autonomy” is not yet in “autopilot mode” fully.
Quick Takeaways
- Apple’s still catching up – it has no driverless permits and zero on‑road autonomous vehicles in California.
- Waymo and Cruise are leading the market with certified cars and licenses.
- Apple’s early collisions are mostly innocent – often external parties or temporary “auto‑off” protocols.
Stick around, folks! There’s a lot more in the autonomous auto‑air’s runway. Apple is still one of the big drivers scrambling to get behind the wheel – or rather, behind the steering wheel. The next few months should keep everyone on their toes.
