Rumor has it that Apple will cooperate with TSMC to develop chips for autonomous driving

According to foreign media reports, Apple is working with semiconductor manufacturing and design company TSMC (TSMC) to develop a 'Tesla-like' semi-autonomous car.

(Image source: Apple)

Apple Insider reported on December 9 that Apple’s Titan project may focus on developing technologies that promote the production of self-driving cars, which means that Apple may be quietly developing its own cars behind the scenes.

DigiTimes initially reported that TSMC and Apple are collaborating to develop chip technology for autonomous driving. The report also stated that the two parties are working to produce 'Apple Car' chips in the United States and are negotiating an agreement on the supply of automotive electronics between the two parties. DigiTimes also revealed that Apple’s planned vehicles are similar to Tesla vehicles, but did not elaborate on the similarities between the two.

In November, CNBC reported that Apple interrupted its 15-year partnership with Intel earlier this year because TSMC has the ability to produce 5-nanometer chips, but Intel cannot. Apple Insider also reported that since May this year, TSMC has been manufacturing chips for Apple, which will be used in iPhone 12, iPad Air, 5G iPad Pro and all future MacBook and iMac systems.

This is not the first time Apple has been rumored to build a car. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had previously predicted that Apple would purchase chips for semi-autonomous vehicles from TSMC. He also predicted that 'Apple Car' may land in the car market between 2023 and 2025.

Earlier this week, multiple sources said that Apple’s self-driving car team has been transferred to the company’s artificial intelligence department. Apple is still considering whether to build its own cars, launch an aftermarket compatible kit, or cooperate with third-party automakers to make their vehicles have autonomous driving capabilities.

If Apple really wants to enter the field of self-driving cars, there will be another company with a large consumer base and a reliable background in this field. Regardless of whether Apple wants to build a car, the company needs to make a quick decision, because other companies have begun to develop self-driving cars that can operate. Tesla even released a beta version of FSD software, which has become more and more effective in challenging scenarios, and Tesla has also opened the gap with other companies.