Amid quashed rumors about a McLaren deal, Apple is also reportedly considering a takeover of Lit Motors, a startup with a self-balancing, all-electric motorcycle.
The two companies are about a "potential acquisition," the New York Times said on Wednesday, citing three anonymous sources. Apple is already said to have hired several former Lit engineers.
The latter firm is currently developing , which despite being a motorcycle has the cabin of a car, with features like airbags, air conditioning, and a sound system. Its signature feature though is its self-balancing mechanism, which allows it to be driven like a car as well. In theory it should be able to keep a C-1 upright at all times, even in a T-bone collision.
Both Apple and Lit Motors have refused to comment.
It's not clear why Apple would want to buy Lit, but incorporating the C-1's technology would distinguish a from other vehicles on the market. Alternately Apple might only be interested in an "acqui-hire," picking up Lit's remaining staff to fill in workforce gaps.
If it did use Lit's technology, Apple would almost certainly have to design an entirely new vehicle, as the C-1 can only carry a single passenger -- limiting its potential market.
Earlier this month reports claimed Apple laid off dozens of workers from its secret Project Titan initiative as the group refocuses from automotive hardware to software.