Apple in Discussions With Multiple LiDAR Suppliers for Apple Car [Report]
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Posted February 19, 2021 at 8:28pm by iClarified
Apple is in discussions with multiple lidar suppliers as it pushes forward with plans to produce a self-driving electric car, reports Bloomberg.
The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is in active talks with a number of potential suppliers for these laser-based sensors that allow a car’s computer to “see” its surroundings, said the people, who asked not to be identified due to the private nature of the discussions. The company has been working on a driverless vehicle project for several years and has developed on its own most of the necessary software, underlying processors and artificial intelligence algorithms needed for such a sophisticated system.
As it does with the iPhone, Apple is looking to source suppliers for critical components. Lidar is apparently key to its self driving system and the company is said to be considering a range of options, including a heavily customized version of the sensors.
Notably, Apple is reportedly in discussions for 'next-generation lidar' that will be cutting edge in four to five years, rather than lidar that is on the market now.