Apple Keeps 15 Drivers for Its Apple Car AV Program, Axes the Rest
Back in February, it was widely reported that Apple was putting an end to its car project. “Project Titan,” as it was known, focused on the development of autonomous, electric vehicle technology. From the beginning, Apple has been secretive about its car project. Everything we know about the project’s development over the past decade has been based on rumors, limited info from the California DMV, and sightings of Apple’s Lexus RX 450h test cars.
Since 2018, macReports has been reporting on information obtained from the California DMV regarding Apple’s Autonomous Vehicle (AV) testing program. In California, any company wishing to test AVs on public roads must obtain licenses for both its test cars and their drivers from the DMV’s Autonomous Vehicles Program.
“… Apple requested to remove 157 of the 172 drivers listed on their autonomous vehicle testing permit.”
California DMV
After the rumored end of Project Titan in February, there was no change in the number of licenses held by Apple. However, macReports recently got word from the California DMV that “… Apple requested to remove 157 of the 172 drivers listed on their autonomous vehicle testing permit.” While leaving only 15 drivers for its AV fleet, Apple has not submitted a request to reduce the number of cars on its testing permit, which has stood at 68 since November of last year.
Apple has officially downsized its autonomous vehicle driver team significantly, providing concrete evidence of the company’s dismantling of its car program. Although Apple may have put an end to the Apple Car, its permit to test vehicles remains active until April 30, 2025. From the California DMV, “Apple must notify the DMV if they want to withdraw from the testing program or they can let the permit expire by not submitting a renewal before 4/30/25.”
Previous coverage of Apple’s AV program
- January 2024: Apple Is Regrowing Its AV Driving Team in California
- July 2023: Apple Grows AV Driving Team Again After Dramatic Cut Earlier This Year
- March 2023: Apple Increases Number of Test Drivers for Its Autonomous Fleet, Keeps Fleet Size Steady
- January 2023: Apple Adds More Drivers to Autonomous Vehicle Team; Decreases Fleet Size
- November 2022: Apple Has Added 51 More Drivers in 2022 While Fleet Size Remains Steady
- September 2022: Apple Adds More Drivers to its Autonomous Vehicle Program; Waymo, Cruise Make Huge Additions to Their Driverless Fleets
Early coverage of Apple’s AV program