Apple Increases Its Number Of Self-Driving Test Drivers

Apple is, currently, testing a total of 69 cars on public roads of California, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The company also has 143 registered safety drivers in the State. This is an increase in drivers since April 24, when Apple had 69 test vehicles and 110 registered drivers. This means that Apple got permits for 33 more self-driving vehicles since April while keeping the same number of cars.

The increase suggests that Apple is adding more drivers to the fleet at a steady rate.

The new figures show that Apple still has the third-largest autonomous-car test fleet in California. The most current numbers are:

1. GM Cruise: 258 cars and 760 drivers
2. Waymo: 135 cars and 321 drivers
3. Apple: 69 cars and 143 drivers
4. Tesla: 32 cars and 136 drivers

California has issued 62 autonomous vehicle testing permits, with 805 approved vehicles operated by 2,612 approved drivers.

This type of self-driving car permit, testing with a driver, issued by California’s DMV requires a safety driver to be on board to grab the wheel at any time. Apple rapidly grew out its fleet from three cars in April 2017.