Apple’s Abandoned EV Project Almost Used Siri As The Steering Wheel, Began After Reported Deal With Tesla Fell Through

That’s according to a New York Times story highlighting the hardships the Apple EV team went through over the years, before ultimately pulling the plug on the entire initiative.

Apple began working on its car project – code-named Titan – back in 2014. Since then, it has undergone several leadership changes.

One new item that was likely uncovered in the Times report was an initial plan for Apple’s car to not have a steering wheel. Instead, Apple cars would be powered by Siri, a digital assistant that powers several other products (i.e., the iPhone) and is used by consumers to search for information.

“Mr. Ive and his team of designers drew concepts for a car that would look like a European minivan such as the Fiat Multipla 600, which has a half-dozen windows and a curving roof. It had no steering wheel and would be controlled using Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri,” the New York Times wrote, referring to former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive.

Ive and Apple CEO Tim Cook discussed the use of Siri in a meeting in 2015.

“The two men sank into the seats of a cabinlike interior. Outside, a voice actor read from a script of what Siri would say as the men zoomed down the road in the imaginary car. Mr. Ive asked Sir what restaurant they passed and the actor read an answer.”