McLaren isn’t the only automotive company Apple is seeking to invest its vast cash hordes in, according to a report on Wednesday.
New York Times sources say Apple is in talks to acquire San Francisco-based Lit Motors, the maker of a unique self-balancing motorbike/car hybrid.
It has a top speed of 100mph and will have a range of 200 miles per charge.
Related: Would McLaren be a smart purchase for Apple?
However, the so-called “secret sauce” of this two-seat wonder is the gyroscopic system, which prevents the C-1 from toppling onto its side, even if it happens to be T-boned by an oncoming car.
On its website, Lit explains: “We use electronically-controlled control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) to generate thousands of ft-lbs of torque.
“The gyros are controlled by the vehicle, allowing it to lean itself into and out of turns, and stay upright when stopped–even in a collision! Our gyro system is the key to bringing the safety and interface of a car to a two-wheeled platform.”
Effectively, it’s like an old school Weeble toy or one of those terrifying robots currently being bullied by Boston Dynamics.
Lit Motors is accepting deposits for the C-1, which it says will cost around $24,000 (around $18,500). The larger the deposit, the higher pre-order customers will be in the queue. So far, the company hasn’t announced a release date.
According to the NYT’s report, Apple has already hired several Lit Motors engineers. Lit declined to comment.
The reports of acquisition attempts follow speculation Apple is dramatically scaling back its ambitions in the automotive sector.
Recent redundancies may suggest Apple is no longer attempting to build its own vehicle, but is seeking partners in the manufacturing field to help achieve that ambition.
Watch The Refresh: The best tech gossip and reviews every week
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.