Apple canceled Project Titan, their first effort to produce an electric vehicle with self-driving capabilities, two weeks ago. Issues regarding technology, design and job losses forced Apple to cancel their "Apple Car" project. Now the focus is entirely on developing their own generative AI.
Mark Gurman via the Apple Power On Newsletter now reveals that there are several designs that have been used for Project Titan. The first design received a touch from Sir Jony Ive with it looking like a Volkswagen microbus van. The nickname used for this design is Bread Loaf because it looks like a loaf of bread.
The Bread Loaf can accommodate four passengers with seats inside that are similar to those used in luxury private jets. The doors open like a van to the side for easy access to the spacious passenger compartment. This Volkswagen microbus-like design was used by Apple before the Volkswagen ID Buzz was shown. Interestingly enough Project Titan staff moved to Volkswagen before the ID Buzz prototype was shown to the public.
The second design still maintains the round design but is said to resemble a Canoo van. Passengers can lie down comfortably. There are design iterations of a large TV in the center or two iPad-sized screens that can be folded into the roof when not in use. In the original design the vehicle did not have a steering wheel or driving information cluster because it was designed to have Level 5 self-driving capability. But with Level 5 self-driving technology not yet able to be produced, it was changed to Level 2 self-driving and all the steering wheel, pedals and dashboard were returned
Some of its rival iterations featured changes to the Model X's bird-wing-like opening doors as well as changes to the more sloping front end. So far all designs and sketch images of Project Titan have never been leaked. But maybe in the future it will also be leaked eventually like the early iPhone and iPod prototypes before.