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Rebooted Apple program gets permit to test autonomous vehicles in California

For a while, Apple has been pursuing autonomous vehicle technology, but has more or less tried to keep the specifics of those ambitions under wraps. We did learn last fall that the company was killing off plans to build its own car, and clues about its program to develop a self-driving system popped up since. Today, though, we have more concrete information, as the California DMV has issued Apple a permit to test self-driving cars in the state, as TechCrunch reports. In a document released by the DMV, the tech company joins a number of others in California with approval to test autonomous vehicles. Apple will test its systems on three cars, each a 2015 Lexus RX540h, with six approved drivers. Presumably, those cars will be on the road quite a bit, as gathering lots of data is crucial to developing a working system. Per California rules, the company will have to provide accident reports, as well as a log of every instance that a human driver has to take over driving duties from the autonomous system in what the DMV calls a "disengagement report." Those reports will be made public, so we'll be able to glean a little more information about Apple's progress once they're available. Related Video: News Source: TechCrunchImage Credit: GABRIELLE LURIE/AFP/Getty Images Green Lexus Technology Emerging Technologies Autonomous Vehicles California

Lexus building just 650 Black Line RC coupes

Lexus has yet another limited edition line of cars on the way, following up on its special RC F and GS F models. The new edition is the RC F Sport Black Line, and it's actually not available on the V8 RC F. It's only for the turbocharged four-cylinder RC 300 and naturally aspirated V6 RC 350. What the package adds is either gloss black or silver paint accented by black chrome trim on the grille and windows rather than the standard shiny silver chrome. Other exterior details include matte black wheels and brake calipers in either orange or black. The black and orange theme continues inside, where orange stitching stands out against a black interior. The steering wheel is unique to the special edition and has black-stained wood trim. The special edition goes on sale this spring. Only 650 examples will be built. In addition to being available on either the four-cylinder or V6 models, it can be had with rear- or all-wheel-drive. The base prices start at $52,725 for the rear-drive four-cylinder and go up to $57,115 for the all-wheel-drive V6. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2018 Lexus RC F Sport Black Line: New York 2018 View 13 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2018 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com New York Auto Show Lexus Coupe Luxury lexus rc

Apple self-driving cars are real — one was just in an accident

An Apple self-driving car was involved in an accident in California, the technology company said in a filing to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles that confirmed speculation that it has begun testing such vehicles on the road. The accident happened last week when the test vehicle, a Lexus SUV, was rear-ended by a 2016 Nissan Leaf, according to the filing on the DMV website. Apple was not immediately available for comment. Apple has kept tight wraps on its ambitions for self-driving cars, declining to publicly acknowledge them until it wrote a letter to U.S. transportation regulators in late 2016 urging them not to restrict testing of the vehicles. Last year, Apple secured a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California. Related: Why this could be the perfect time for Apple to make a car play Related Video: Image Credit: Getty Auto News Green Lexus Technology Emerging Technologies Autonomous Vehicles