America
After iPhone, brace for an iCar
New York, Feb 14
After Apple's much sought after iPhone, you may soon get to drive an Apple car!
According
to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple has put hundreds of
employees on the project, which is codenamed "Titan", and is being led
by Steve Zadesky, a former Ford engineer who helped develop the iPod and
iPhone.
Recent changes in the auto industry could give Apple an
edge over other companies with the rise of information technology in and
around the car -- the emphasis on telematics, active safety, and driver
and passenger interface -- being the new trend.
More and more,
automakers are becoming tech companies. Any car made today has dozens of
computers inside it, so Apple would come in with some core competencies
already intact.
"I don't know how you're not somewhat worried
about that as an automotive company," Karl Brauer, a senior analyst at
Kelley Blue Book, was quoted as saying by wired.com.
Experts
guess that Apple can spend something around $5 billion on the effort. An
incumbent automaker would spent $2-$4 billion over seven to 10 years on
a clean sheet design.
Apple, which does not have the proper
infrastructure and industry connections in place, may still have to
build these, which might include creating a brand new car division.