A list of approved testers of autonomous vehicles on the website for California’s DMV was updated on April 14th, showing that Apple now holds a permit to test autonomous vehicles in the state.
A list of companies that have permits to test autonomous cars in California has been updated to indicate that Apple is now legally allowed to test self-driving cars in the state.
The list, which can be viewed on the website for California’s Department of Motor Vehicles, was updated on April 14, with “Apple Inc. ” having been newly added. The permit covers the registration of three Lexus RX450h SUVs, and allows six drivers to operate them.
Apple’s possession of the permit indicates that the company could begin testing autonomous vehicles on California roads, and an Apple source reportedly told Bloomberg that testing would begin “soon”, but no specific time frame was given.
This permit could indicate the resurgence of Apple’s self-driving car program, codenamed Project Titan. Although the firm never officially acknowledged the project, anonymous sources claimed that dozens of employees were laid off back in September last year, in order to “reboot” the initiative.
