Reports suggesting the end of the Apple car initiative, the tech company’s long-rumored project, may have been premature. Apple’s initiative, known as Project Titan – which underwent staffing reductions of approximately 200 personnel last year – remains active and is targeting the production of an electric vehicle incorporating advanced battery technology and self-driving capabilities by 2024, as detailed in a Reuters report.

Specifics regarding the vehicle’s design, the chosen manufacturing collaborator, and the potential application of Apple’s autonomous driving system – whether integrated into the car itself or offered as a software solution to other businesses – remain unknown. The Reuters report is supported by information from the Economic Daily Times in Taiwan, which indicates increased orders from Apple for automotive parts and components from suppliers within the country. Collectively, these reports validate that Apple, despite maintaining a low profile and operating with a reduced team, has not abandoned its automotive ambitions.

Sources indicate that this vehicle will be designed for passenger use, positioning Apple within a distinct segment compared to companies such as Waymo, which are focused on developing and deploying autonomous robotaxi services. (Waymo has expressed interest in licensing its autonomous vehicle technology for passenger cars, though this is not their primary focus.)

The daily management of Apple’s Project Titan is overseen by Doug Field, who rejoined the company in 2018 following a period with electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla. Field, formerly senior vice president of engineering at Tesla, played a crucial role in the launch of the Model 3. With Field at the helm, the Apple car appears poised to compete more directly with Tesla than with companies like Alphabet’s Waymo.

Recent reporting from Bloomberg indicates that Apple has integrated Field and the Project Titan team into the organization led by Apple executive John Giannandrea, who oversees the artificial intelligence and machine-learning divisions.