Hyperdrive
Big Tech Wants Drivers' Eyes on Screens Instead of on the Road
Apple, Google and others are pushing into autonomous driving for a reason: to free up hours behind the wheel and precious screen time
Big tech would like more of your attention, more hours of the day.
Illustration: Baptiste VirotThis article is for subscribers only.
At first glance, the forays Apple Inc., Google and other technology giants are making into the world of cars don’t appear to be particularly lucrative.
Building automobiles requires factories, equipment and an army of people to design and assemble large hunks of steel, plastic and glass. That all but guarantees slimmer profits. The world’s top 10 carmakers had an operating margin of just 5.2% in 2020, a fraction of the 34% enjoyed by the tech industry’s leaders, data compiled by Bloomberg show.