Apple's ambitious autonomous vehicle project may have been officially abandoned, but it has left a significant legacy in the form of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips. Initially, during the early stages of developing their self-driving car platform, Apple recognized the necessity for high-level AI processing that could be integrated directly into devices.
The Emergence of Neural Engine
According to technology journalist Mark Gurman in his recent Power On newsletter, although the dedicated car processor was never fully realized, its development led to the creation of the Neural Engine. This component has since become the backbone of all on-device AI processing across Apple's products.
Transformation of AI Processing
The Neural Engine first made its debut in the iPhone X as part of the A11 Bionic chipset. In the early days, its primary functions included visual computing tasks such as enabling FaceID, creating Animoji, and supporting Augmented Reality (AR) applications. By establishing a foundation for on-device AI processing early on, Apple has positioned itself as a pioneer in the tech industry.
Advancing Hardware Technology
While Apple's AI software development is often perceived as lagging behind competitors, the reliability of its hardware has received widespread acclaim. This local processing capability has allowed Apple to emphasize its commitment to user privacy, minimizing the amount of personal data that needs to be sent to the cloud for processing.
Future Prospects for AI Hardware
Looking ahead, Apple appears to be prioritizing AI hardware as a cornerstone of its strategy. Gurman reports that Apple is expected to take an unexpected step by bypassing the release of Pro, Max, and Ultra variants for the upcoming M6 chip. Instead, the Cupertino-based company aims to accelerate the development of the M7 chip, projected to launch in the first half of 2027, which promises a significant upgrade to the Neural Engine.
Even more intriguingly, the highest variant, the M7 Ultra, is anticipated to serve as the foundation for a new line of server products from Apple, featuring an enormous RAM capacity that could reach up to 1.5 TB.
Source: https://inet.detik.com/consumer/d-8572699/proyek-mobil-apple-yang-batal-tinggalkan-warisan-chip-ai-super-kencang
