Apple has scrapped its plans for an electric car with self-driving capabilities after nearly a decade of development. The company informed employees of the decision in an internal meeting, with some members of the team being reassigned to roles within its artificial intelligence division. Kevin Lynch, who worked on the car project, will now report to John Giannandrea, head of artificial intelligence strategy.
The cancellation of the project marks a rare move for Apple, which had been testing the car on public roads for years. This decision comes as Apple seeks new avenues for growth beyond the saturated smartphone market.
Apple’s investment in the electric car, codenamed “Titan,” was seen as a potential rival to Tesla’s offerings. The product was perceived as important for Tim Cook’s legacy and Apple’s ability to innovate. Despite the setback, Apple has continued to invest heavily in research and development, spending $113 billion in the last five years.