Mystery van reportedly leased by Apple sparks debate

A mysterious van roaming the streets of California is sparking discussion about what's next for tech giant Apple.

The website Claycord.com first reported details of a van driving around Claycord with an unusual apparatus attached. CBS' San Francisco affiliate KPIX confirmed one of the vans is leased to Apple, and resembles a similar vehicle spotted in New York and captured on YouTube.

So, what exactly is the mystery apparatus? Multiple reports including Apple Insider suggest it's a combination of mounted cameras and LiDAR sensors, remote-sensing technology involving lasers.

Tech analyst Rob Enderle tells KPIX the van could be used for tests by Apple on self-driving cars. However, LiDAR sensors have also been used for mapping purposes, providing real-world details similar to Google's Street View.

Apple declined comment on the mystery vehicle to KPIX.

As for the tech categories we know Apple is pursuing, the company is preparing for its first dip into the wearables market with Apple Watch. The device is reportedly slated to launch this spring.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.