Apple’s failed self-driving car program left a legacy of powerful AI chips

Apple’s canceled car project pushed the company to develop stronger on-device AI processing, according to Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter. Although the car processor was never completed, the work reportedly contributed to the Neural Engine, which debuted in the iPhone X’s A11 Bionic and powered features like Face ID and Animoji.

The report suggests Apple’s failed automotive ambitions still produced lasting value by strengthening its chip architecture and AI capabilities. As more AI features move onto devices for speed and privacy, Apple’s early investment in on-device AI may become a key competitive advantage.