ADVERTISEMENT

A slew of Apple auto engineers reportedly left to join the self-driving car startup Zoox

The engineers reportedly left Apple for Zoox after the tech giant abandoned plans to build its own car.

A group of 17 engineers who worked on Apple's car project have left to join the self-driving startup Zoox, according to a Bloomberg report published Wednesday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The engineers departed the company after the tech giant abandoned plans to build its own car and decided to instead develop a self-driving system, according to the report, which cited sources familiar with the matter.

Apple reportedly scaled back its car efforts last year and in June, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that the company was instead focusing on creating a self-driving system. It's possible the iPhone maker plans to license its autonomous technology to automakers instead of eventually creating its own self-driving vehicle.

The engineers snagged by Zoox specialized in systems that are needed in both traditional automobiles and autonomous vehicles, like braking systems, according to Bloomberg.

ADVERTISEMENT

Zoox aims to create a fleet of autonomous vehicles for urban areas. The company got its permit to start testing self-driving cars in California in March 2016 and has raised more than $250 million, according to Bloomberg.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

US troop withdrawal from Niger hangs in the balance

US troop withdrawal from Niger hangs in the balance

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

ADVERTISEMENT