Hello Technos,

Ever wondered about the full saga behind the Apple Car project? Billions lost, yet details remain shrouded in mystery.

That's where we step in. Welcome to Tech Creator's Tuesday edition, where we unveil the origins and the latest insights from the tech world.

Ready to dive deep? Let's get started.

Apple’s broken vision for its self-driving car

Remember that sleek, futuristic Apple Car we thought would revolutionize the road? 

Apple has scrapped the project. There’s no revolution happening. 

After nearly a decade of secrecy, project delays, and industry whispers, Apple has finally pulled the plug on its electric and autonomous vehicle ambitions, codenamed Project Titan. 

A brief throwback

The rumors started swirling in 2014, with Apple poaching automotive experts and secretly testing self-driving vans. Visions of a Jony Ive-designed, Siri-powered dream machine danced in our heads. 

But the road to production was bumpier than a Tesla on a dirt track. (Did you note our pun? Yes, Apple wanted to make a better version of Tesla)

Here’s a quick timeline: 

• 2015: Apple reportedly aimed for a 2020 release, but industry veterans scoffed at their lack of car-making experience.

• 2016: Top talent jumped ship, project leads swapped hands, and reported delays pushed the target date back to 2021.

• 2017-2019: Internal confusion mounted, employee arrests for alleged trade secret theft occurred, and the self-driving test fleet logged fewer miles each year.

• 2020-2022: Partnerships fizzled, design ideas like a steering wheel-less car emerged, and the price tag ballooned to over $100,000.

All roads lead to...nowhere

By 2023, Apple had scaled back its self-driving ambitions and aimed for a less ambitious 2026 release.

But the writing was already on the wall.

In February 2024, after reportedly spending billions and logging nearly half a million test miles, Apple finally threw in the towel.

So why did the iCar stall?

Apple's downfall can be attributed to a few key missteps:

• Hubris: Blinded by past successes, Apple overestimated its ability to disrupt a complex industry with entrenched players.

• All or Nothing Mentality: Instead of a practical electric car, Apple chased the unproven dream of a fully autonomous vehicle.

• Internal Turmoil: Leadership changes, design pivots, and employee scepticism created a chaotic development process.

Our take:

While the iCar may be dead, Apple's innovation engine keeps churning. With augmented reality glasses, healthcare wearables, and foldable devices on the horizon, the company may find its next big revolution elsewhere. But for now, the dream of an Apple-branded car remains just that: a dream.

^{Sponsored by Pipedrive} 

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Varda's Space Winnebago makes history 🛰️

Varda Space Industries successfully landed its capsule carrying space-made pharmaceuticals after an eight-month wait.

This mission, a first of its kind for a private company, wasn't without its challenges.

Let’s explore the enticing tale. 

Stranded in space

Varda's capsule spent far longer in orbit than planned due to regulatory hurdles.

The company, unfamiliar with the complexities of spacecraft reentry, underestimated the time needed for approvals from the FAA, Air Force, and Air Traffic Control. 

This bureaucratic maze caused delays in July and September, leaving the capsule in a holding pattern.

The simple design philosophy

Varda's design philosophy emphasizes affordability and speed. 

Their capsule is a low-cost, reusable "Winnebago" compared to the luxurious spaceships of other companies.

Varda focuses on automated manufacturing, aiming to produce drugs and other materials in microgravity at a fraction of the cost of traditional space missions.

A significant step forward

Despite the challenges, Varda's mission is a significant step forward for commercial space manufacturing. 

The company plans a rapid launch cadence, with the next Winnebago mission targeted for this summer.

Varda is also looking beyond pharmaceuticals, aiming to handle a wider range of materials in future missions.

Our Take:

Varda's success adds another layer to the low-Earth orbit real estate competition.

Multiple companies are developing private space stations, all vying for a piece of the in-space manufacturing and research market. 

Microsoft, OpenAI, Jeff Bezos invest in Figure robot company 🤖

Humanoid robot company Figure has scored a staggering $675 million investment, propelling them to a $2.6 billion valuation. 

This tech giant dream team includes Microsoft, Nvidia, and even Jeff Bezos.

With all this money flying around, you might expect a super-agile robot that folds your laundry while making breakfast. 

But is that the reality?

All-Star investors back a bold vision

Figure has its sights set on bringing commercially viable humanoid robots to life. 

Their impressive investor list speaks volumes about their potential. They've even partnered with OpenAI to develop next-generation robot AI.

This collaboration aims to make robots understand and respond to us better.

So, what can this robot actually do?

Despite the hype, Figure's first robot prototype, Figure 01, is still under development.

Unveiled last October, it boasts a human-like form and impressive hands with five fingers and three joints each.

However, Figure 01's walking isn't quite winning any marathons.

Videos show a slow, awkward shuffle with limited knee and ankle movement.

But the hands are a different story.

Figure 01 can handle a Keurig coffee maker with surprising finesse.

From lifting the lid to placing the K-cup and pressing the button, its movements are controlled and deliberate. 

This focus on hand dexterity suggests a potential future in assembly line tasks.

Our take

While Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot steals the show with its athleticism, it's not designed for mass production. Figure, on the other hand, prioritizes affordability and practicality.

Their goal of integrating robots into the workforce is clear. 

So, are our jobs safe? 

Only time will tell, but Figure's journey is sure to be fascinating.

Some more ‘Tech’ila shots 

• Ikea begins beta-testing support for Matter: Ikea's Dirigera smart home hub may finally get Matter support in beta. This was originally promised in May 2022 but has been delayed multiple times. (Link)

• Nvidia’s 1000-watt GPU to arrive in 2024: Nvidia's upcoming B100 AI accelerator will be even more power-hungry than the H100, consuming 1000 watts. Despite the high power usage, Dell expects the B100 won't require liquid cooling. (Link)

• Hackers exploit Windows 0-day for 6 months: North Korean hackers exploited an unpatched Windows vulnerability (CVE-2024-21338) for six months to install a rootkit. Microsoft downplayed the severity because the exploit required prior admin rights. (Link)

More news just for you 😎

• How a website slipup revealed Rivian’s next-gen vehicle worth $47,000

• Why fired Twitter executives are suing Musk for $128 million

• European crash testers want carmakers to bring back physical controls 

On a lighter note, We found a tech meme we couldn’t resist sharing with you.  

Tech Throwback: March 5, 1904

It’s Nikola Tesla!

On March 5, 1904, Nikola Tesla tried to unravel the mystery of ball lightning, a rare, lingering electrical phenomenon seen during storms or inexplicably in calm weather.

These glowing spheres have defied explanation, even appearing in bizarre locations and causing Allied pilots in WWII to mistake them for enemy aircraft.

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If you believe data should be open and accessible to all, Happy International Open Data Day! 

If not, I open at the close (Who said to whom)🥳

See you on Monday. Have a great week ahead!