Skip to main content

Apple’s autonomous vehicle got rear-ended by a Nissan Leaf on August 24

Apple’s autonomous car project is no secret to anyone following the company closely. Apple uses Lexus SUVs that drive on the streets of Cupertino to do its autonomous testing.

As reported by MacRumors, one of Apple’s autonomous vehicles was involved in an accident and the company is required to report this information to the DMV.

The accident happened on August 24, 2018, at approximately 2:58 p.m. Fortunately, nobody was hurt and the car was actually rear-ended by another vehicle while attempting to merge onto another road. Apple’s test vehicle was traveling at less than 1 mph before it was hit by a 2016 Nissan Leaf at roughly 15 mph.

On August 24th at 2:58 p.m., an Apple vehicle in autonomous mode was rear-ended while preparing to merge onto Lawrence Expressway South from Kifer Road. The Apple test vehicle was traveling less than 1 mph waiting for a safe gap to complete the merge when a 2016 Nissan Leaf contacted the Apple test vehicle at approximately 15 mph.

Apple’s autonomous vehicles are equipped with sensors and cameras that enables the autonomous driving capabilities. However, two drivers are required to be inside the vehicle in this stage of testing.

We last reported that Apple currently has 50 autonomous-enabled vehicles in testing. It’s unclear at this time what Apple plans on doing with its autonomous vehicle tech. Whether they’re going to license the software to other manufacturers, or if the company plans on building its own hardware to work alongside. If Apple is planning on releasing its own hardware, that should be out before 2025.


Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications