Apple cuts 600 jobs following cancellation of car and smartwatch projects

PTC News Desk: Apple Inc. has made the decision to lay off over 600 employees in California after halting its endeavours in car and smartwatch display projects. This move comes as the tech giant seeks to streamline its operations and refocus its efforts.

The layoffs were disclosed through filings with the California Employment Development Department, where Apple submitted eight separate reports as part of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) programme. These reports detail the impact of the layoffs at various Apple facilities across the state, with a significant number of affected employees linked to projects related to car development and smartwatch display technology.

The decision to discontinue both projects, which were regarded as ambitious ventures aimed at pushing the boundaries of Apple's technological innovation, came at the end of February. The car project faced internal uncertainties regarding its strategic direction and concerns over escalating costs, ultimately leading to its cancellation. Similarly, the smartwatch display program encountered insurmountable challenges related to engineering, suppliers, and costs, prompting its closure.

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According to the reports filed with the state, the layoffs primarily affected employees at Apple's main car-related office in Santa Clara, California, with additional impacts felt across several satellite offices. However, it's worth noting that some members of the Apple car group were reassigned to other departments within the company, such as artificial intelligence or personal robotics.

Although Apple declined to provide specific details regarding the number of employees affected by the layoffs, the WARN notices offer insights into the scale of the job reductions. Despite the layoffs in California, Apple's workforce across other locations, including Arizona, remains intact, as many engineers from both projects are engaged in various roles across different regions.

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(Inputs from agencies)

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