There has been a lot of buzz about a rumoured 'Apple car' this weekend - and the latest rumour is that the automobile might actually drive itself.

Reuters reports that the company is aiming to make an entire vehicle, rather than just software or individual components.

A source told Reuters that Apple does not have much interest in traditional automobile manufacturing methods, but will be looking to develop an electric car that drives itself.

Google, one of Apple's leading rivals, has spent years developing an autonomous vehicle.

A team of 1,000 has been assembled by the company to build the Apple vehicle, which the Wall Street Journal says "resembles a minivan".

The newspaper reports it could take several years for "Project Titan" to reach the production stage.

Apple may not even end up producing a car at all, the paper writes.

Instead it could use any prototype to test other mobility technologies it is working on - such as CarPlay - which integrates your phone with the dashboard.

Apple executive Steve Zadesky, a former Ford engineer, is apparently heading the project. He previously led teams developing the iPod and iPhones.

The Wall Street Journal claims Apple staff have visited car builders such as Magna Steyr, which has produced vehicles for Mercedes and BMW.

There are reports that Apple is recruiting experts in automotive technology and vehicle design to work at a new top-secret research lab in Silicon Valley.

Apple has made no comment on its reported move into automotives.

However, chief executive Tim Cook admitted this week that he feels Apple can have an impact in the industry.

"We've taken iOS and extended it into your car, into your home, into your health," Mr Cook said.

"All of these are really critical parts of your life and none of us want to have different platforms in different parts of our lives."

Originally posted at 7.33am