Apple has been quietly increasing tests for its automated car on California's roads amid licensing controversies on the robocars on the West Coast.
Data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles showed that Apple has been ramping up its tests for its autonomous vehicles last year, tripling road mileage from 125,096 in 2022 to 452,744 in 2023.
The Washington Post also noted that 67 vehicles have been spotted to be equipped with Apple's autonomous box sensor roving near the tech giant's office in Cupertino, California.
Despite tripling its road mileage, Apple's autonomous car is still behind with the leading robocar services in California with Waymo recording 3.7 million testing miles and Cruise with 2.65 million miles.
Apple was among the major tech companies granted by California regulators to start testing its cars in the city as it prepares to open operations to the public.
Residents Oppose Autonomous Car Expansion in California Cities
While more autonomous car businesses have been eyeing to expand operations in California, local residents have a different opinion regarding the matter.
The city of San Francisco has already filed a lawsuit against the California Public Utilities Commission for allowing expansions of autonomous cars in the city.
San Francisco asserted that the commission's decision contradicts its obligation "to promote public safety."
The lawsuit cited that the businesses' operations hinder first aid response due to technical delays caused by its cars during testing.
Controversies Surround Autonomous Cars in West Coast
The lawsuit follows after one of Cruise's autonomous EVs was involved in a road accident back in October where it dragged one pedestrian 20 feet after collision.
People's scrutiny was flared higher when it was revealed that Cruise hid the severity of the incident to escape
California has already revoked Cruise's permit to operate as investigations continue.
