We see yet another bright idea on
the table for Apple. Yet this time, I question just how bright the idea is.
Apple is apparently in the business of developing an automobile! For some
people this may sound like a fun and exciting project, but for me, this is kind
of scary. Although apple is known to deliver beautiful products that are both
simplistic in design, and genius in technology, developing a car is a
completely different ball game. Given the current directive in the automotive
industry, I fear that Apple will intend on making their car more autonomous,
taking the responsibility away from the driver. Eventually, the car won’t need
a driver at all. Where does that leave us? A world with cars that are run off
of lines of code rather than a human mind. Can we truly trust such a
technology? And if something goes wrong, who is to blame? The driver or Apple?
This creates a very sticky situation.
Another interesting idea raised
in the article was the notion that this vehicle could be seen as a scare to
other technologically driven automotive manufacturers like Tesla, and the
German brands. First of all, the selling point of Tesla is not its electronic
autonomous components. Tesla is what it is due to its ability to perform like a
top notch sports car, without the use of liquid fuel.
Although Apple has the capital to
get this idea in production, I think they should stick to what they know best:
cell phones and computers. The idea of autopilot for cars just does not sit
well with me. And finally, HOW DARE THEY EVEN THINK THAT THEY CAN COMPETE WITH
ZEE GERMANS! I mean, seriously. These guys have been on the cutting edge of
automotive design for decades. It takes more than a software engineer to
develop a car that users will actually take seriously. Here’s a funny scene;
get a group of computer scientists and put them in a production factory. That
would make me giggle!
http://www.thestreet.mobi/story/13047402/1/apple-minivan-it-could-be-a-disruptive-force-challenging-tesla.html
I read a similar article recently as well and in a way, I’m not that surprised. We have already seen another electronics giant try and break into the car industry. Google has been working on its driverless car since 2010. Even if it doesn't plan to actively manufacture them, it’s still dabbling in the industry and hoping to make millions in the coming years. If Apple wants to compete, they certainly can with close to $180 billion in cash with few avenues to spend it in. In addition, the Apple name has an almost cult following and any product they decide to put their name on and into the market, will surly have customers lining around the block to at least test, if not drive away in. Apple only entered the cellphone industry when it had a product that redefined the industry; I expect they will do the same in the car industry.
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