Through a public records act request, The Guardian has successfully obtained a correspondence from Apple engineer Frank Fearon, who revealed Apple’s interest in obtaining permission to use the GoMentum Station, a former naval base nearby San Francisco that is being converted into a realistic testing area for self-driving vehicles. Although The Guardian reached out to Apple for further comments, Apple declined the invitation.
There have long been rumors of a certain “Project Titan,” a nickname for the supposed initiative by Apple to create and manufacture an autonomous car. Like many of their other projects, the preliminary phases for this one have been carried out in secrecy. According to TIME, however, “Apple’s interest in a testing facility doesn’t necessarily signal it has anything to actually test just yet — it may simply be looking to secure a facility for the future.”
Still, the leaked initiative is real, regardless of how far the company has come. In May of this year, Apple engineers convened at GoMentum Station to meet military officials on the site where Mercedes-Benz and Honda have already carried out similar projects with experimental vehicle technology. The facility on which Apple seeks to carry out tests is more than 2000 acres. GoMentum confirmed the interest of Apple but could not provide more concrete details due to a non-disclosure agreement.
The BBC explored the speculation surrounding the type of technology Apple is developing with Project Titan. Technology reporter Dave Lee asked, “Are they, as some have said, intending on creating an entire Apple-made car? Or are they perhaps content with providing sophisticated software for already-established car makers to use in their vehicles?”
Are they, as some have said, intending on creating an entire Apple-made car? Or are they perhaps content with providing sophisticated software for already-established car makers to use in their vehicles?
Apple’s Fearon is apparently in search of further details relating to exactly how the GoMentum facility might be used. Tunnels and highway overpasses, among other road features, populate the GoMentum map, making it a supreme treasure for companies such as Apple, Uber, and Google who have self-driving vehicles in development.
