CUPERTINO, Calif., Dec. 4 (UPI) — For the first time, Apple has revealed plans to develop a self-driving car.
The computer company, which has revolutionized computers, phones and the music recording industry, wrote a letter dated Nov. 22 to National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Mark Rosekind explaining its plans. Apple said it was “excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation.”
“Apple uses machine learning to make its products and services smarter, more intuitive, and more personal,” Steve Kenner, Apple’s director of product integrity wrote in the five-page letter. “The company is investing heavily in the study of machine learning and automation, and is excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation.”
As a prelude, Apple has already registered several car-related internet domains, including apple.car and apple.auto.
The Cupertino, Calif.,-based company wants the NHTSA to exempt rules for the cars on public roads. It also wants companies to share crash data and near-misses but doesn’t want an individual’s privacy to be compromised.
In closing, the letter says, “Apple appreciates the opportunity to comment on the policy. Apple commends the Department of Transportation and NHTSA for facilitating a national conversation about the safe and ethical development and deployment of automated vehicles. Apple looks forward to collaborating with NHTSA and other stakeholders so that the significant societal benefits of automated vehicles can be realized safely, responsibly, and expeditiously.
In October, Apple abandoning its car plans “for now” but remaining members of the Apple Car team were said to be focusing on autonomous systems rather than a full car.
In September, the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama proposed guidelines for the development of self-driving cars in a 15-point “vehicle performance guidance” for safety aspects of the vehicles.
Several companies are working on self-driving cars, including automakers. Googlehas been testing them on the roads. Tesla announced in October that all the cars it now builds has the hardware installed to drive on their own.
