Apple self-driving car testing plan reveals details about its autonomous technology

In a document submitted to California regulators earlier in April, Apple has outlined plans to train the operators of self-driving cars, seeding details about its development of autonomous driving technology.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles granted Apple permission to test self-driving cars on public roads on 14 April.

A document containing Apple's application, obtained by Reuters, reveals details about the company's self-driving car technology.

Included in the application is a 10-page training plan related to operators taking back manual control of the car during automated driving.

It also includes a document called "Automated System: Development Platform Specific Training Overview" which aims "to train safety drivers in various automated driving conditions".

The document reads: "Development platform will be controlled electronically (e.g. joystick) and safety drivers must be ready to intervene and take control."

The document states high-speed driving, tight U-turns and lane changes are some of the aspects which need to be tested.

However, it does not include details about how Apple's self-driving car works or the kind of sensors found on its three permitted vehicles, but does state that Apple is working with three Lexus RX450H hybrid SUVs as test cars.

In a letter sent to the state Department of Motor Vehicles in 2016, Apple noted its development platform "will have the ability to capture and store relevant data before a collision occurs".