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Lexus SUV Being Used for Apple's Self-Driving Software Test Spotted on the Road

Apple recently obtained a permit (https://www.macrumors.com/2017/04/14/apple-dmv-permit-autonomous-car-testing/) allowing the company to test its self-driving software on public roads in several Lexus SUVs, and now Bloomberg (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-27/check-out-the-lexus-that-apple-s-using-to-test-self-driving-car-technology) has shared details on the equipment Apple is using after one of the vehicles was spotted leaving an Apple facility.





Earlier this week, a white Lexus RX450h SUV was seen leaving an Apple building and was captured in a series of photos by an unnamed source who shared the images with Bloomberg. The vehicle is equipped with multiple sensors, cameras, and radar.





<img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2017/04/applelexus1-800x449.jpg)" alt="" width="800" height="449" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-562518" />

The sensors included Velodyne Lidar Inc.'s top-of-the-range 64-channel lidar, at least two radar and a series of cameras. The sensors appear to be products bought off the shelf from suppliers, rather than custom-made, according to an industry expert who saw the photos.

The vehicle is distinct from the vehicles used for Apple's mapping project (https://www.macrumors.com/2015/05/29/apple-vans-for-in-house-mapping-database/), which uses a series of Dodge Caravans to capture data across the United States for the purpose of improving the Apple Maps (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-maps/) app.





Apple was first granted (https://www.macrumors.com/2017/04/14/apple-dmv-permit-autonomous-car-testing/) a DMV permit to test autonomous vehicles on public roads on Friday, April 14. At the time, a DMV spokesperson said the company had registered three 2015 Lexus RX450h SUVs to be driven by six Apple employees with expertise in autonomous vehicles.





<img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2017/04/applelexus2-800x450.jpg)" alt="" width="800" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-562519" />


Apple's permit application and the appearance of the SUV confirm its work on a car-related project. Rumors originally suggested Apple was developing its own autonomous electric vehicle, but Apple is said to have since transitioned (https://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/17/apple-late-2017-deadline-self-driving-system/) to building an autonomous driving system rather than a complete car.





In California, where Apple is testing its vehicles, companies that participate in the DMV's Autonomous Vehicle Testing Program must file Disengagement Reports (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/autonomous/disengagement_report_2016) that outline how many miles were covered with self-driving vehicles and whether any accidents occurred, so Apple won't be able to keep much of the testing on public roads a secret.





Apple's car team, led by Bob Mansfield, reportedly has until the end of the year to prove the feasibility of an Apple-designed autonomous driving system.

<div class="linkback">Related Roundup: Apple Car (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-car/) </div>
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Source: Lexus SUV Being Used for Apple's Self-Driving Software Test Spotted on the Road (https://www.macrumors.com/2017/04/27/apple-self-driving-lexus-suv-spotted/)