Almost a decade after announcing its intention to enter the autonomous vehicle segment, Apple has now pulled the plug on its self-driving car project. While details are still emerging, reports suggest that most of the staff working on the project have been reassigned to its AI team, while some have been let go. That said, here are some of the most active players in the scene right now who may fill the void left behind by Apple.
Waymo
Originally developed as Google’s internal self-driving vehicle project, Waymo was announced back in 2009 under Alphabet's ownership. It aimed to bridge the gap between self-driving cars and robotaxis. By March 2023, it was testing autonomous EVs in Austin, Texas, showcasing its Waymo Driver prototype, the Firefly. Currently, Waymo One ride-hail service is operational in Phoenix, Arizona, and San Francisco, California.
Mobileye
Two decades ago, Mobileye revolutionized driver-assist technology with an innovative concept: utilizing a single, cost-effective sensor - the camera. Building on top of it, today the company stands as a forefront leader in driving technologies, reportedly aiding over 125 million vehicles. In March 2023, industry reports crowned Mobileye as the premier player in autonomous vehicle technology. Partnering with over 50 auto OEMs.
Cruise
Established in 2013 and acquired by GM in 2016, Cruise embarked on autonomous taxi services in 2021, achieving a notable milestone by conducting fully driverless rides in a major US city. By February 2023, Cruise's autonomous vehicles had collectively travelled one million driverless miles, primarily in San Francisco. Backed by investments totalling US$10bn from prominent companies, Cruise currently stands as one of the biggest leaders in autonomous driving technology.
Motional
Formed in 2020 as a collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, Motional put most of its card in creating Level 4 autonomous vehicles for ride-hailing and on-demand delivery services. For over five years, it has operated a public robotaxi service in Las Vegas, facilitating over 125,000 autonomous rides. In December 2022, Motional extended its autonomous ride services to Uber passengers in Las Vegas.
Tesla
As a pioneer in the EV sector, Tesla continues to advance autonomy with its self-driving software platform, Autopilot. This Level 2 automation system enhances features like cruise control, self-parking, lane centring, and highway navigation. Tesla's dedication to integrating autonomy into its cars has been evident for years and continues to evolve.
Baidu
As the world's largest robotaxi service provider, Baidu holds numerous autonomous driving patents and has accumulated over 40 million kilometres of Level 4 autonomous driving test mileage. In December 2022, it received the first license to test autonomous vehicles without safety operators in Beijing. This achievement follows the success of its Apollo Go service in Wuhan and Chongqing, paving the way for a fully driverless robotaxi service in China's capital city.
