News Roundup: Apple Secures First Vehicle Patent, Google Driverless Exec Quits, and More

Jennifer van der Kleut

A roundup of headlines from the driverless and connected-car worlds so far this week:

Apple finally secures its first vehicle patent - but it’s not what we expected

After much of the industry has been holding its breath, waiting for the first real, confirmed news of an Apple car, news finally came on Tuesday-but it’s not what any of us expected. Apple’s new patent is for an “articulated vehicle,” and as one reporter described the plans, it looks like a European-style “bendy bus” with a pivoting mechanism connecting the front and back cabins. Some are saying this could help vehicles steer more efficiently in ice and snow, and would help funnel brake fluid, hydraulics, cardan shaft or other important components through a large vehicle. So while it’s not the self-driving smart car many in the industry were hoping for, as one Gizmodo reporter said, “at least we know Apple engineers are working on things like how vehicles are controlled.” Read the full article on Gizmodo.

Big news from Google: Self-driving car exec leaving the project

Reuters reported big news on Monday: Chris Urmson, who has led Google’s self-driving car initiative for the past seven and a half years, announced Friday will be his last day with the project. Reuters said he has been considering the departure for a while and now is making the move. Urmson said on Twitter he is ready for a “fresh challenge” and the chance to gain some perspective from outside of Google. This is the latest in many departures from Google’s self-driving car project-Anthony Levandowski, the project manager, left earlier this year to launch his own startup with two other former Google employees. Read Reuters’ full story.

Israeli autonomous car Lidar manufacturer raises $9 million

Innoviz, an Israeli company that manufacturers Lidar sensors for autonomous cars, announced this week it has secured $9 million in funding to continue its work. The company’s technology is called High Definition Solid State Lidar and, according to the company, it enables a high level of performance and accuracy compared with other current mechanical solutions. Innoviz says this technology will serve as the basis for the entire sensing system required for autonomous driving. Read more about Innoviz from Globes English.