On Tuesday, Ford
"This is just a monumental moment in time- a moment in time that I think we have now to really remake a 118-year old company," said Jim Farley Ford's chief executive to reporters.
Mr. Field will work directly under Ford's CEO as the company's head of advanced technology and embedded systems.
Ford currently has a number of software integrations aimed mainly at commercial operators. For instance, it has software that allows the operators of commercial fleets to get maintenance reminders about individual vehicles.
In an interview, Ford's CEO said that Field's experience bridges the gap between the often abstract world of software development and the gritty realities of engineering a two-ton machine.
"There are a lot of leaders in the technology field who know a lot about embedded systems, but a much shorter list of people who know about safety-critical systems and other realities that we face in moving people," said Farley of Field.
Field's exit represents the latest in a string of setbacks for Apple's automotive ambitions. According to Bloomberg, Kevin Lynch will head Apple's auto team, codenamed "Project Titan."
During his time at Apple, Lynch spearheaded the development of Watch OS and Apple's Health App. While it's too soon to say, Lynch's background in software could be indicative that Apple's primary focus remains on developing self-driving technology rather than building an actual car.
In the meantime, Field's career has literally come full circle. The storied automotive engineer got his start at Ford in 1987. He was later an executive at Segway and later moved to Apple, where he worked on Macs until 2013, at which point he moved on to Tesla.
It's at Tesla where Field really made a name for himself in the auto industry. He was instrumental in developing Tesla's then budget, "Model 3," which has since become the company's best-selling car and has helped inspire a broader vision for affordable electric vehicles.
He then returned to Apple to help steer the company's beleaguered auto project. The arrival of a so-called "Apple Car," has been stalled by numerous leadership changes and a narrowing focus on developing the underlying technology behind driverless vehicles. According to members of "Project Titan," the arrival of an Apple-branded car is at least 5 to 7 years off, that is, if the company decides it wants one.
Perhaps this lack of a definite timeline on Apple's part helps explain Field's departure. In an interview, he claimed Ford's leadership also inspired him to jump ship.
"There's a resolve there, there's a passion there and there's a humility and willingness to change," he said. "And I think that's ultimately what made this an interesting opportunity... if you can combine these breakthrough technologies, with the kind of capabilities Ford has in terms of their loyal customers and their scale. This would change everything in the industry."
