DipNovel Chapter 20: Turbulence Begins
Chapter 20: Turbulence Begins
"Breaking news: A multi-functional auxiliary robot, named the self-disciplined dog, developed and produced by a private Chinese company, has been officially deployed to various border defense units."
This robotic dog is characterized by high intelligence, high mobility, and high load-bearing capacity. It can transport supplies in complex terrain and assist soldiers in completing various arduous tasks in complex terrain.
Next, please listen to our reporter's report from the front lines...
With the large-scale deployment of self-discipline dogs, their existence can no longer be hidden. Therefore, CCTV not only reported on that program, but also broadcast a special program about self-discipline dogs afterward.
Of course, the self-disciplined dog in the special program was not the full version, but a low-spec version with many features hidden and performance reduced.
Perhaps that's why, despite the extensive publicity, self-disciplined dogs aren't very popular.
Firstly, because there were already experimental quadrupedal combat robots, as well as very advanced humanoid robots and very advanced AI.
Secondly, people are already used to these kinds of high-tech products, and self-disciplined dogs are somewhat distant from everyday life.
Therefore, although the popularity of self-disciplined dogs was good at the beginning, it did not last long, and most people basically forgot about it as soon as they turned their heads.
The remaining small group of people were either very curious, bored, or had other motives, so they dug deeper into the details of that technology company.
That was the end of it, because nothing worth reporting could be found.
However, not finding anything doesn't mean nothing happened.
Today, without the public's knowledge, the top executives and their business negotiation teams from major automakers across the country gathered in a conference room at that technology company.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting."
Zhou Luming, the head of the technology company, walked into the conference room with his secretary, Fan Tingting, and said bluntly, "You all came here today because you have verified our company's batteries and autonomous driving system and are interested in them."
So, let's get down to business.
A car battery costs 5,000 yuan, while an autonomous driving system costs 10,000 yuan.
A bus battery costs 15,000 yuan, and an unmanned system costs 30,000 yuan.
A cargo battery costs 50,000 yuan, and an unmanned system costs 50,000 yuan.
The current annual battery production is ten million units. You can negotiate the annual quota among yourselves. I will only produce various types of batteries according to your total number.
Is there a problem?
"..."
After Zhou Luming finished speaking, the heads of the various car companies narrowed their eyes, lowered their heads, and began to intently examine the tea in front of them.
The negotiation team they brought exchanged glances, then spoke one by one: "Mr. Zhou, the automotive industry is facing quite a challenge right now..."
"Mr. Zhou, if you can lower the price, we might consider supplying you with our phone batteries as well..."
"Mr. Zhou, while self-driving cars are great, whether the public will accept them is still a question, let alone electric self-driving cars..."
"Mr. Zhou, could we just buy the batteries and not the autonomous driving system...?"
"President Zhou..."
"..."
To lower prices, automakers' negotiation teams employ various tactics, including playing the victim, offering incentives, and expressing concerns about the policy environment.
However, the only thing that posed no threat...
Although that technology company is privately owned, it has the authority to use the word "military industry" in its name, so who would dare to threaten it?
Besides, haven't you seen even a certain car brand playing the victim?
Apart from that, no car company has said they won't buy it...
Electric vehicles are an unstoppable trend, so the more durable, safer, and more efficient the batteries of electric vehicles are, the larger the market share that car company will have.
The larger the market share, the more money you make.
As long as it's legal and compliant, who wouldn't want to earn as much money as possible?
That company's batteries, whether in terms of charging efficiency, lifespan, capacity, or most importantly, safety, are already a level ahead of the rest of the world.
Therefore, no car company would refuse to buy it, much less dare not to.
As for cracking and counterfeiting...
If possible, would they come back here?
As for driverless systems, having them is best, but not having them is fine too.
Because, although that company's self-driving system is fully mature and commercially viable, whether and when the public will fully accept it remains a question.
Therefore, some car manufacturers only want batteries and not autonomous driving systems.
Faced with numerous questions from the negotiation team, Zhou Luming smiled slightly: "First of all, we won't negotiate the price of batteries."
It's not that I'm trying to bully customers because of my size, but batteries have a suggested retail price...
At this point, Zhou Luming pointed meaningfully to the ceiling: "Therefore, the price of batteries cannot be high or low, and they cannot be resold at will, especially overseas."
"Hiss~"
After everyone had finished gasping for breath, Zhou Luming suddenly turned to Fan Tingting and said, "Tingting, why don't you take the negotiators to rest for a bit? They'll be a little tired later."
After saying that, Zhou Luming hinted to the other leaders, "Everyone, let's rest here for a bit."
"..."
After the negotiation teams from various car companies left, Zhou Luming solemnly handed a document to the nearest person: "Everyone, if anyone leaks the contents of this document, they will bear the consequences."
"..."
The person who received the document looked at it with hidden displeasure after hearing Zhou Luming's words.
The next second, the man's breath hitched, his eyes widened, and he looked at Zhou Luming in disbelief: "Mr. Zhou, where did you get this document?"
"Mr. Liu, do you think I have the guts to forge this document?"
Zhou Luming gave a wry smile and gestured, "The top leaders of all provinces have already received this document and have begun secret preparations."
Since Zhou Luming had said that, General Manager Liu continued to look at the documents with a skeptical attitude.
After reviewing the documents, General Manager Liu passed them to the next person while standing up and saying, "General Manager Zhou, everyone, I'll be leaving for a moment."
"please."
"..."
When General Manager Liu returned, he immediately nodded to the others and said, "The document is genuine."
One year later, except for a few areas with complex road conditions, buses, taxis, freight trucks, and other vehicles in other parts of the country will be gradually replaced by driverless electric vehicles within five years.
Furthermore, the autonomous driving system must be the one developed by Mr. Zhou.
After Mr. Liu finished speaking, Zhou Luming reminded him: "Gentlemen, this policy is a confidential document before it is announced."
As you can see, some people have agreed. Hopefully, we can prepare in advance and implement it as soon as possible.
After giving the reminder, Zhou Luming stood up to say goodbye, saying, "I'll go and call your negotiators back."
Once everyone has reached a conclusion, I'll have someone notify my secretary.
"Mr. Zhou, it's rare for everyone to get together like this. How about I treat everyone to dinner tonight?"
"Sorry, I have something to do tonight. I'll treat everyone next time."
"Then you're busy, Mr. Zhou."