Apple hires former Tesla autonomous driving engineer

Apple’s autonomous car project appears to be progressing, with reports the tech giant has hired a former Tesla engineer.

According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple has brought on Christopher ‘CJ’ Moore, who worked on autonomous driving technology at Tesla under Stuart Bowers – another recent Apple recruit.

Moore is known for challenging Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s representations of what the company’s autonomous tech was capable of, with a leaked memo outlining his comments that Musk’s claims didn’t “match engineering reality”.

Moore was also called as an expert witness at a lawsuit regarding the death of a man who was using Autopilot software in his Tesla.

Despite the secrecy surrounding the Apple car, there’s been a constant stream of news as the company struggles with personnel changes and establishing commercial relationships with critical parts suppliers.

In September, the head of the car project at Apple accepted a senior position at Ford, likely to help develop the Blue Oval’s autonomous vehicle technology. Earlier this week, Ford CEO Jim Farley told employees it was facing a legitimate threat from the likes of Tesla and Rivian.

In the days prior to the Ford defection, a report emerged from the US suggesting Apple had purchased Chrysler’s former proving ground in Arizona.

A number of stories emerged of Apple engaging in talks with the likes of Hyundai Motor Group, LG Magna, and large Chinese battery companies over the past year.