Re:Apple Is Said to Be Rethinking Strategy on Self-Driving Cars
by skewart on Saturday September 10, 2016 @02:34PM
(#12470367)
I disagree. Self-drive tech will indeed become a commodity - eventually. What technology hasn't?
For a time, when it's brand new, having better self-driving tech certainly will be a differentiator. But the question is how long that window will last and how it aligns with regulatory changes.
If I have a perfect fully autonomous car but I have to keep my eyes on the road and hands hovering over the steering wheel at all times, and can't "operate" it after having had a couple of drinks, then what's the point?
I'm not sure if there will be time for better self-driving tech to ever be a meaningful differentiator because for a long time it will probably be illegal to use.
Apple's exceptional skill has generally been in building consumer brands, managing operations, and timing when to release a new product after the underlying tech has been somewhat commoditized. I suspect they will not rush to release the best underlying tech six months or a year ahead of the competition. They'll wait until other people have figured out what works and then release their take on it.
For a time, when it's brand new, having better self-driving tech certainly will be a differentiator. But the question is how long that window will last and how it aligns with regulatory changes.
If I have a perfect fully autonomous car but I have to keep my eyes on the road and hands hovering over the steering wheel at all times, and can't "operate" it after having had a couple of drinks, then what's the point?
I'm not sure if there will be time for better self-driving tech to ever be a meaningful differentiator because for a long time it will probably be illegal to use.
Apple's exceptional skill has generally been in building consumer brands, managing operations, and timing when to release a new product after the underlying tech has been somewhat commoditized. I suspect they will not rush to release the best underlying tech six months or a year ahead of the competition. They'll wait until other people have figured out what works and then release their take on it.