Is Apple Getting The Better Part of Tesla?

Poach, or get poached, it’s the survival of the fittest. Tech giants are out to get the best at any cost. At the level of these tech giants, all that matters is not just achieving the first mover advantage but creating products that create a lasting impression while meeting users need.

Apple, Tesla, at the mention of these names, any tech enthusiast would brace up to ask, what is the next big thing coming up? This question leads us to ask, why is Apple poaching the big names at Tesla? Does Apple want to diversify to EV manufacturing? Let’s see if we can connect the dots with the names and position of staff that Apple has poached from Tesla. Michael Schwekutsch, Tesla’s head of Powertrains, Andrew Kim, Tesla’s senior designer. These names are behind the engineering of Tesla’s driverless cars. Could Apple poaching be for its fledgling Project Titan? Remember that Apple's Project Titan group was once responsible for a physical Apple car. It's thought that the team shifted strategies years ago to only focus on self-driving systems instead of hardware. Is Apple considering car manufacturing? If so, what could the recruitment of ex-Waymo engineer responsible for self-driving car technology last June hint? Though Apple maintains a tight lip, their continued high-profile hires show that Project Titan is far from dead, but it's unclear if the team is working on a physical car or software, and there is no indication of when Apple will be ready to share news from the team's efforts.

As Apple keeps new move covert, Audi is bringing the future closer to us. In anticipation of Shanghai auto show which starts April 16, 2019, Audi has confirmed plans to unveil the AI: ME concept, a pure design study that explores electric mobility, a decade from now, its design is thought to hint at future styling themes for the brand with for wings. It’s a compact EV with self-driving capability that Audi sees as the ideal ride for the crowded cities of tomorrow.

Teaser sketches released on Tuesday hint at a sporty, low-slung hatch with a large panoramic glass roof and the wheels pushed to the corners. There's also a look at the interior which still features a steering wheel, meaning the AI: ME isn't a pod you simply ride around in. Thankfully, Audi's vision of the future is one where mankind can still enjoy the experience of actual driving.

Set to join the concept on Audi's stand-in Shanghai will be a Q2 L e-Tron, an electric crossover based on the long-wheelbase Q2 sold exclusively in China. It's due to go on sale in China later this year.

It’s interesting to share these exciting development around EVs. Though, I’ve been pondering within me and asking aloud; with almost all automakers in Europe, America, Asia, gravitating towards EV manufacturing, what would be the market share of these automakers? Is it not strategic to have development, test, or partnership outside the mentioned regions, for the reason of fast market penetration and market share?

Considering the population of Africa and fast rise technology within the continent, would Africa not be a viable market for EVs? I think its time EV automakers consider having something in the region and other regions alike. One way to go is partnership. Using EV as MaaS in the region would solve environmental pollution, create a new face of transportation that is cheap, clean and smart. Such investment would further fuel development in the region and create more job opportunities. Gllyd Technology is at the forefront of bringing about such development to the region through MaaS, which doubles as an experience center for those who still cannot imagine the efficiency of EVs when compared to gasoline-powered vehicles.