Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), has officially confirmed the fact that it has an autonomous guidance system for cars under development, important resources being invested to complete the product that will eventually be launched on the market. Apple has up to 6 cars with this kind of software in testing, they are being driven on the streets of California so that Apple can perfect the autonomous guidance software for cars.
This number of cars does not seem to be enough, so Apple has entered into a partnership with a company called Hertz, to rent even more cars for its project. Apple is using Lexus RX450H cars to test the autonomous guidance system for cars, and it will take over a few more cars from Hertz, although it is not known exactly how many.
Apple and Hertz did not want to comment on the rumors regarding the partnership they entered into, but we are definitely talking about at least 6 more cars that Apple would like to take over. Of course, the price of Hertz shares increased substantially after finding out this information, so no matter what exactly Apple wants to take from its partner, it has a lot to gain thanks to the publicity.
Apple wanted to develop an electric and autonomous car, like Tesla, but its plans cannot be fulfilled at the moment, although it has hundreds of engineers dedicated to this project. Because there is no chance that this car will be launched until 2020, as originally wanted, Apple has changed its plans and is developing an autonomous guidance system for cars, and now it is bringing new partners into the project.
"Apple Inc. is leasing a small fleet of cars from Hertz Global Holdings Inc. to test self-driving technology, an agreement that echoes a larger deal between competitors Alphabet Inc. and Avis Budget Group Inc. Hertz shares soared the most in almost two years."
