ChipsThe story, in brief
Apple’s failed self-driving car program left a legacy of powerful AI chips
Apple's failed self-driving car wasn't a loss. It birthed the Neural Engine—the AI chip architecture now powering every iPhone.
The KeyNews take
Why it matters
A cancelled moonshot project inadvertently created the infrastructure that made Apple's devices AI-capable. Understanding how failed bets reshape compute strategy matters for investors tracking AI chip consolidation.
The key facts
5 to knowApple's self-driving car program discontinued, but spawned Neural Engine development
Neural Engine debuted with iPhone X and A11 Bionic chip
Neural Engine powers on-device AI: FaceID, Animoji, computer vision
Neural Engine became backbone of Apple's on-device AI processing across product line
Mark Gurman reporting via Power On newsletter
Go to the source
The Verge AItheverge.com
Publisher excerpt: Apple's self-driving car program never really got off the ground, but it may have been what made the company's chips the powerful AI performers they are. Early in the development of the self-driving platform, Apple realized that it would need powerful on-device AI processing. While the car…