Tag: Electric Car

  • Apple explores making personal robots: report

    Apple explores making personal robots: report

    Apple engineers are working on making personal robots, a report said on Wednesday, just weeks after the iPhone-maker abandoned its efforts to develop an electric car.

    The tech titan has people working on a robot that would follow people around at home and be helpful, according to Bloomberg that cited unnamed people familiar with the situation.

    The project was in a nascent stage and it was unclear whether it would lead to a product sold by Apple, the report indicated.

    Apple did not reply to a request for comment.

    The California-based company has been looking for new ways to make money beyond its iPhones and the digital content and services it sells to users.

    Apple recently abandoned its ambitions to produce an electric car, according to US media reports, ending a struggling decade-long project.

    It has never publicly disclosed its EV plans, despite a steady drip of media leaks over the years.

    Apple is reported to have transferred employees from the shuttered car division to generative artificial intelligence projects.

    The robot project is being overseen by Apple’s hardware engineering division and its AI and machine learning group, Bloomberg reported.

    The report came as analysts are keen to hear what progress Apple is making with AI at the company’s annual WWDC developers gathering at its Silicon Valley campus in June.

    Around the world, major tech companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon are rapidly pursuing the development and deployment of AI products.

  • Apple abandons electric car project, shifts focus to AI

    Apple abandons electric car project, shifts focus to AI

    In a surprising turn of events, Apple has officially terminated its ambitious electric car project, according to a reliable source informed about the matter.

    The decision, revealed on Tuesday, marks the end of a decade-long effort initiated by the tech giant to venture into the electric vehicle industry.

    The abandoned project aimed to propel Apple into a new sector, potentially mirroring the triumphs of its iconic iPhone.

    However, the venture faced challenges and inconsistent progress throughout its existence.

    The cancellation aligns with a broader trend in the automotive industry, where global players are scaling back investments in electric vehicles amid a substantial drop in demand.

    Reportedly, several team members previously engaged in the electric car project will be reassigned to Apple’s artificial intelligence (AI) division.

    This strategic move aligns with Apple’s commitment to bolstering its presence in AI, a domain where it has been comparatively reserved.

    Apple has refrained from significant AI initiatives, contrasting sharply with industry giants like Alphabet and Microsoft, which seized an early advantage in integrating this transformative technology.

    Concerns have arisen that Apple’s cautious approach may leave it lagging behind in infusing AI into its product lineup.

    Ben Bajarin, CEO of Creative Strategies, commented, “If it is true, Apple will put more focus on GenAI, and that should give investors more optimism about the company’s efforts and ability to compete at a platform level on AI.”

    Last year, Apple experienced the smallest share gain among the so-called Magnificent Seven stocks, reflecting apprehensions about its stance on AI.

    Microsoft recently surpassed Apple as the world’s most valuable company, underscoring Apple’s struggle with weakening demand for its key products, particularly in significant markets like China.

    Simultaneously, the electric vehicle industry faces a slowdown in demand due to elevated interest rates, leading to job cuts and reduced production.

    Apple’s shift in focus to AI reflects a strategic pivot in response to market dynamics and underscores the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation.

    Apple has chosen to adapt its trajectory in a rapidly evolving landscape, signalling a nuanced strategy that aligns with emerging industry trends.

  • In Pictures: Pakistan unveils its first electric car with 210km range

    In Pictures: Pakistan unveils its first electric car with 210km range

    Except for Pakistan, electric vehicles have gained massive popularity throughout the world. A few imported cars that are available in the local market are pricey and out of the range of the average person.

    Now that Pakistan’s first electric automobile has been launched with some outstanding features, things are set to change.

    NUR-E 75 images – Photos by Pakwheels

    On Independence Day, Pakistan’s first electric vehicle prototype, the NUR-E 75, was displayed on August 14.

    The battery in the car will have a 35kWh capacity with a range of 210 kilometres after being fully charged.

    NUR-E 75 will save a significant amount of fuel, contribute to the fight against climate change, and maintain economic prosperity, claims Dr Khurshid Qureshi, founder and chairperson of the Distinguished Innovation, Collaboration & Entrepreneurship (DICE) Foundation, who developed the prototype.

    It has a maximum speed of 120km/h, tyre size of 16 inches, a ground clearance of 190mm, and a charging capacity of 220V in eight hours, with fast charging also available.

    Dr Qureshi claimed that the production of the car has three stages: the first involved industrial design, production, and launch; the second involved expanding production to include sedans and SUVs, small commercial trucks, and EV platform export; and the third involves exporting the cars.

    Read more: Cheapest new cars to buy in Pakistan

    The completely working prototype, EV NUR-E 75, is ready for testing and regulatory approval, he said, adding that manufacturing started in 2019. Meanwhile, design work on a rolling platform that will be utilised for multiple vehicle segments is in progress.

    The little hatchback’s maximum output is 80 kW (108 horsepower), and its 35 kWh battery can travel 210 km without the air conditioner on.

    He emphasised that the vehicle, given to Pakistan as a gift for its diamond jubilee, would play a significant role in the context of the environment and climate change and help us transition away from the use of non-renewable fuels.