Apple has indeed confirmed layoffs, affecting over 700 employees, following reports of the cancellation of two high-profile projects: the self-driving car initiative (Project Titan) and in-house Micro-LED display development.
Under California’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, companies like Apple are required to file notices for layoffs. These filings can provide insight into which teams are most affected by job cuts.
This mandatory process ensures transparency and helps affected employees navigate the transition.
According to a Mony Control report, one of the teams significantly impacted by the layoffs was the MicroLED display division. Apple’s acquisition of LuxVue Technology in 2014 emphasized its interest in display technology.
However, Bloomberg reported earlier this year that Apple had abandoned plans to develop MicroLED displays for the Apple Watch, citing production challenges as the primary reason. This decision likely contributed to the recent layoffs within the MicroLED display team at Apple.
The layoffs also impacted Siri development, as evidenced by notices filed in San Diego. This aligns with a January report indicating Apple’s closure of a Siri data operations office in the area.
This office was reportedly instrumental in evaluating user interactions with Siri and enhancing the voice assistant’s accuracy. However, affected employees were offered the option to relocate to Apple’s offices in Austin, Texas, indicating a potential consolidation of operations.
Reports indicate that Project Titan, Apple’s secretive self-driving car initiative, experienced substantial layoffs, as revealed by WARN notices from offices associated with car development and testing. Apple’s efforts in electric car development since 2014 culminated in the project’s shelving last month.
With around 2,000 employees reportedly dedicated to the project, the decision to abandon it was likely influenced by the significant financial investment. Apple’s pivot towards AI may have contributed to this decision, with employees unable to transition to other teams being asked to leave the company.
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