Apple Car may get parts made by iPhone 3D sensor supplier

An Apple self-driving car test bed.

The long-rumored Apple Car is expected to offer some form of self-driving facility, something Apple has publicly been testing for a number of years. While Apple doesn't have anything to publicly state about Apple Car itself, it apparently has worked to improve the self-driving element.

According to sources of UDN, the system's LiDAR capabilities, which is used to sense the road ahead, are being augmented by new sensors. One firm supplying the sensors is Wenmao.

Wenmao is an existing Apple supplier, providing LiDAR sensors that are used in the iPhone, so it has some knowledge of how the supply chain operates and Apple's high expectations from suppliers.

While it may take a while for the automotive-grade LiDAR sensors to be verified by Apple, it is likely that Wenmao will secure orders based on its previous work and quality standards, a source adds.

Currently, Apple has over 200 drivers and 67 vehicles testing its self-driving system on public roads, according to data from the California DMV.

The Apple Car itself is rumored to be a few years away from launch, with a potential 2026 debut of the vehicle on the cards. That car is also expected to ship at a price less than $100,000.

UDN has decent sources inside Apple's supply chain. It is notably less accurate when it tries to glean what Apple is doing, based on that information.