Apple’s letter to the NHTSA reveals plans on autonomous vehicle

Cupertino giant might not have made a public announcement for it but Apple’s letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration comes pretty close to admitting its plan on self-driving technology.

Though precise details of Apple automotive products were not revealed in the letter but it did state that: “Apple uses machine learning to make its products and services smarter, more intuitive, and more personal. 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.”

Written by Apple Director of Product Integrity Steve Kenner, the letter is a feedback on the federal government’s automated vehicle guidelines. Others who have commented on these policies include companies like Google and Ford — all of whom are working on autonomous cars.

The feedback letter that has the internet abuzz with the idea that Apple too is in the fray to develop an autonomous vehicle calls for policies that will bring a clear understanding of who is liable for problems that occur when cars drive themselves. Other issues that find mention include the maintenance of users’ privacy, cyber security and physical safety; and ensuring that the impact of self-driving cars on the public is as positive as can be.

It also contains several recommendations that, if acted on, would benefit new entrants to the auto industry. For instance, it recommends regulation requiring manufacturers to share data from crashes and near-misses, “sufficient to reconstruct the event.” Apple writes that it “looks forward to collaborating with other stakeholders to define the specific data that should be shared.”

The letter also cautions NHTSA to form policies that will protect drivers’ individual privacy. Kenner writes, “Apple agrees that companies should share de-identified scenario and dynamics data from crashes and near-misses…By sharing data, the industry will build a more comprehensive dataset than any one company could create alone… Data sharing should not come at the cost of privacy. Apple believes that companies should invest the resources necessary to protect individuals’ fundamental right to privacy.”

Though Apple has never officially talked about its ‘Project Titan’, the insights from letter suggest the rumours could well be facts and iPhone-maker may soon bring on roads a self-driving car with its tag.