Rebirth 08: Rise from copycat phones

Chapter 601 Wang Hua Takes Care of the Child
On the highway to Shenzhen, Wang Hua, sitting in the driver's seat, seemed a little bored!
Despite maintaining a speed of over 100 kilometers per hour, the Level 4 autonomous driving system on this Blue SEV did not require his intervention.

Instead of checking his phone or sleeping, he continued to observe the road conditions, which showed him the utmost respect for driving...

If his wife, Zhao Linyi, were driving, she would be on her phone the whole time!
It's not that they lack respect for driving vehicles, but rather that Hailan Auto's L4-level autonomous driving technology is truly that amazing.

This Level 4 certification isn't just something Hailan Auto boasts about; it comes from passing all the rigorous tests of the Intelligent Driving Classification Test, making it the only Level 4 autonomous driving technology in the world to have passed this test.

Furthermore, the L3 intelligent driving technology that comes standard across all models of Hailan Auto is the only one in the world to have passed this test.

According to this grading test standard, to achieve Level 4 autonomous driving, one needs to achieve fully autonomous driving in specific scenarios, without human driver intervention... and even eliminate the steering wheel.

The dedicated autonomous taxis developed by Hailan Auto in cooperation with companies in some Japanese and European countries do not have steering wheels... because there was no intention to equip these autonomous taxis with drivers.

Since there's no driver, there's naturally no need for a steering wheel!

Of course, due to legal restrictions in various countries, in order to avoid legal risks, Hailan Auto will not directly claim that its mass-produced civilian vehicles are L4 level autonomous driving, but will define them as 'Advanced Intelligent Assisted Driving 4.2 System'.

As for the Advanced Intelligent Assisted Driving 4.2 system of Hailan Auto, it can not only perform autonomous driving on relatively simple highways, but also in complex urban traffic environments.

It could even be said that Hailan Auto's L4 level autonomous driving technology is better than that of most human drivers!

While the technique is excellent, it can be quite boring for a driver at times... First of all, the so-called driving pleasure is gone.

In addition, many people don't dare to go to sleep or play on their phones all the time, always feeling that artificial intelligence is not as reliable as themselves. So they will sit in the driver's seat to observe the road conditions, ready to take over the vehicle at any time... But in reality, this will be very boring.

That's exactly what Wang Hua is like now!
The journey back to Shenzhen from my hometown was quite boring.

Even if it's boring, it's still better than driving for hours!
The Hailan SEV traveled steadily and at high speed all the way. After more than two hours, it arrived in Shenzhen and exited the highway. The autonomous driving system continued to control the vehicle and move towards the navigation destination.

About half an hour later, the blue SEV entered the underground parking lot of a high-end residential area and stopped in front of an elevator.

Wang Hua got off the bus carrying many bags and packages, all of which were local specialties he brought back from his hometown.

While he was taking the elevator upstairs, the blue SEV drove itself to its parking space.

After successfully reversing into the parking space, the blue SEV turned off all its lights and fell asleep, waiting for Wang Hua to wake it up again!
After Wang Hua carried his things upstairs, he opened the door and saw his wife Zhao Linyi holding their child. Zhao Linyi looked at him with joy and said, "You're back!"

Wang Hua put down her things, took a few steps forward, and asked, "Is the child asleep?"

Zhao Linyi said, "She's been asleep for a while, but I can't put her down. She cries as soon as I put her down, and she cries when Aunt Li holds her. There's nothing I can do but hold her like this!"

"I've been holding this for over an hour, come on, lend a hand... my arms can't hold on much longer!"

Wang Hua said, "I'll do it!"

Their baby was born last year, and perhaps because they didn't get the right habits at first, it's very difficult to put the baby down to sleep. The baby often cries as soon as he's put down, and he only wants to be held by his mother. Several of the nannies they hired before wouldn't let him hold the baby because he would cry as soon as they were held.

This really put Zhao Linyi through a lot of trouble.

After Wang Hua carefully took the child, Zhao Linyi immediately lay down on the sofa.

Wang Hua said, "This won't do. We still need to find a nanny. Otherwise, I have to go to work, and you can't manage on your own!"

Zhao Linyi said weakly, "I've been looking, but I can't find a suitable one. The three nannies I had before couldn't handle it. I was thinking of bringing back Aunt Li, the nanny we had before. Although the salary is high, she did a great job taking care of the baby. Ordinary nannies can't take care of such a small baby. We need a professional like her!"

Wang Hua said, "Didn't Aunt Li say that other families had already made reservations in advance and couldn't come?"

Zhao Linyi said, "After finishing with our place, she went to another one, and it's almost finished now. I talked to her on the phone yesterday, and she said she could come over!"

Wang Hua said, "Since she's able to come, let's invite her over. This isn't a solution!"

Although Wang Hua and Zhao Linyi are already among the highest-income couples, they still find raising a child very difficult... It's so painful.

I hired a postpartum nanny after giving birth last year. For the first two months, Aunt Li helped me a lot, and it was quite good. But Aunt Li is a top-rated postpartum nanny...

Many families sought her out. After finishing her work here, she would rest for a few days before heading to the next family she had booked in advance.

Zhao Linyi was overwhelmed with maternal love at the time and overestimated herself... She thought she could take care of the child herself, and there was also a live-in nanny at home to help.

But after trying it, she found it was really difficult... Just the fact that she had to hold the child to sleep almost drove her to the brink of collapse, and the live-in nanny couldn't even touch the child, as the child would cry if she did!
Therefore, Zhao Linyi had to take care of the child herself. Although the housework was done by a live-in nanny and she didn't have to do it, just taking care of the child was already exhausting for her.

Now that Aunt Li, the previous nanny, said she was free to come over, Wang Hua immediately said, "Then let her come!"

Wang Hua has been quite exhausted lately... During the day, Zhao Linyi is exhausted from taking care of the child, and at night, when the child doesn't sleep much or is restless, Wang Hua has to help take turns.

But Wang Hua still needs to go to work during the day.

Having a carefree nanny to help take care of the baby makes things easier for the couple, and they would be happy to accept even a higher salary for it... after all, they don't need the money to hire a nanny.

After holding and rocking the child for more than 20 minutes, Wang Hua saw that the child was sleeping soundly, and then carefully put the child back into her crib... The whole process was extremely slow and careful, for fear that any sudden movement would wake the child.

Fortunately, things went smoothly, and the child didn't wake up after being put to bed, which relieved Wang Hua.

After leaving the room and arriving in the living room, he saw Zhao Linyi still lying on the sofa. He sat down and put his arm around her, saying, "You've worked hard these past few days. If Aunt Li can come over, then let her come over. She doesn't lack work. We'll offer her a slightly higher salary!"

Zhao Linyi said, "You don't need to tell me, I already said that when I talked to her on the phone yesterday!"

“She was a little hesitant on the phone at the time, saying that her schedule was already full for the next six months and it wouldn’t be good to break the contract. Later, I said that I would pay her the same salary as she is now as a postpartum nanny, and I would also register her name in my company and pay for her social security. We also agreed to sign a formal labor contract, and that’s when she agreed to come!” Wang Hua said, “This way it’s good for both of us. She can have a stable job, and we can have peace of mind!”

At this moment, Zhao Linyi said with a smile, "Besides, if Aunt Li's employment contract is signed with my dad's company, we can save on her salary... let my parents pay it!"

Wang Hua said, "Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

Zhao Linyi said, "What's wrong with that? They're happy to help. My mom said she originally wanted to come and help take care of the child, but the child is too attached to anyone and can't be taken care of, so she's helping us pay for a nanny!"

"When we teach the kids to sweetly call out 'Grandpa' and 'Grandma' a few times, they'll be beaming with joy!"

As they were talking, the phone rang. Wang Hua took out his S20 Pro Max and saw that it was a colleague calling. He answered and said, "Director Sun, hello!"

"Sure, I'm already back in Shenzhen. I'll come to your company tomorrow, no problem, no problem!"

After exchanging a few more words, the call ended. Wang Hua said, "My vacation tomorrow has to end early. I need to go to the company; there are some things I need to take care of!"

Zhao Linyi, who was standing to the side, said, "Your job is fine in every other way, but it's just too busy!"

Wang Hua chuckled: "We're all just like that, working like cattle for others!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Having finally gotten a day off at home, Wang Hua spent the day with the child so his wife, Zhao Linyi, could get some rest. However, having spent the day with the child and not getting much sleep that night, Wang Hua went to work the next day with dark circles under his eyes…

After driving to the headquarters of Zhiyun Group and arriving at Building C, I was immediately pulled away to a small meeting.

Their strategic investment department has been quite busy lately, as they need to carry out corresponding investment plans in the fields of data centers and semiconductors in accordance with the company's strategic plan!
The main focus is on supporting investment models for key companies in the supply chain.

They also secure control over the supply of some core components through investment or acquisition, and by increasing their shareholding.

Although Wang Hua's third business division is mainly responsible for the software field, it also needs to cooperate with the overall strategic investment department's plans.

The department director meeting had just ended when Wang Hua immediately went to see Director Sun from another business unit to discuss a collaborative project between the two units…

While Wang Hua was busy, Xu Shenxue, the big boss of Zhiyun Group, was also busy in the adjacent Building A office building.

However, he wasn't busy processing documents or attending meetings; instead, he was experiencing the second-generation bionic robotic arm that was about to be mass-produced and released.

Zhiyun Group has conducted in-depth research in the field of brain-computer interfaces. Initially, it focused on invasive brain-computer interface research, but after the technology developed to a certain level, Zhiyun Group's brain-computer interface technology roadmap began to focus on non-invasive brain-computer interface research.

In animal experiments, it was even possible to output and input brainwave signals... However, due to the huge safety risks associated with the input of brainwave signals, Zhiyun Group has not made this public.

They simply extracted the relatively mature and safe neural signal output technology route from brain-computer interface technology research and development, which has no safety hazards, and combined it with some technological achievements in the field of robotics to create a bionic robotic arm for people with disabilities.

Last year, Zhiyun Group officially released its first-generation bionic robotic hand/leg, bringing new options to people with disabilities.

However, the project has not been very successful in commercial applications, with annual sales of only a few hundred million dollars... There are too few potential customers for this bionic robotic arm, and the price is not low, so the overall sales volume is not high.

A sales volume of several hundred million US dollars a year might be a very successful business project for an ordinary company, but for a behemoth like Zhiyun Group, it's not even a peripheral business!

The reason why Zhiyun Group is developing bionic robotic arms for medical use is not to make money, but purely to collect more experimental data.

The entire brain-computer interface R&D department spends billions of dollars on R&D every year, so they really don't need the revenue and profit from medical bionic robotic arms.

The goal of the brain-computer interface research and development department is not to develop medical robotic arms or anything like that... but to develop non-invasive virtual devices for brain-computer connections!
This refers to things like virtual reality headsets and virtual pods, which are often depicted in science fiction novels and movies.

This is the technology that will pave the way for the next generation of truly virtual worlds!
That's the kind of groundbreaking technology that can truly change the way people live!
Zhuyun Group has invested heavily in this!
Of course, developing virtual devices based on non-invasive brain-computer interface technology is extremely difficult. According to feedback from the research team, even if everything goes smoothly and considering the explosive development of technological progress in the next few years, the most optimistic estimate is that it will take at least five years to produce the first experimental prototype.

As for large-scale mass production and commercialization, optimistically, it will be at least ten years away!
The true virtual era is still a very long way off!
The bionic robotic arm for medical use that Xu Shenxue is seeing now, although it appears to be flexible and can change according to the mind of the experimenter, is still a very primitive product with great limitations.

Xu Shenxue also tried it himself. After attaching a device to his arm to collect nerve signals, the bionic robotic arm used for testing moved in sync with the movement of his arm.

"This second-generation medical bionic robotic arm is quite good. Its movements are more accurate than the first generation, and its precision is also much better!"

"Keep working hard, and strive to show me an even better bionic robotic arm next year!"

"As for this second-generation medical bionic robotic arm, you can arrange for its commercialization later. Make as much money as you can, and I will also have several charitable foundations provide some funding!"

Some of the charitable foundations under Xu Shenxue's management select some patients with physical disabilities from impoverished families and provide them with Zhiyun Medical's bionic robotic arms/legs free of charge.

The first generation of medical bionic robotic arms has helped many people with limb disabilities regain some of their daily mobility.

This second-generation medical bionic robotic arm will continue down this path.

After inspecting the second-generation medical bionic robotic arm, Xu Shenxue went to the brain-computer interface project group next door, but he didn't see any significant technological progress... Technological progress isn't something that happens every day, like cabbage.

However, Xu Shenxue believes that as long as there is continued investment in talent, funding, and research opportunities, a breakthrough in non-invasive brain-computer interface technology is only a matter of time.

Because the core algorithm problem is essentially a mathematical problem, and Zhiyun Group has strong capabilities in the field of mathematics!
If all else fails, he will increase the number of research positions allocated to the field of non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, adding two more SS-level positions and a bunch of S-level positions.

It's worth noting that with a similar lineup, Zhiyun Group has developed top-tier artificial intelligence technology, while Fairy Mountain Holdings has already achieved near-complete success in controlled nuclear fusion.

He refused to believe that with such investment, non-invasive brain-computer interface technology couldn't be developed!

After putting aside his research on brain-computer interfaces, Xu Shenxue secretly made a trip to Xinghai Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Fairy Mountain Holdings... His purpose was simple: to check on the progress of the controlled nuclear fusion project!
(End of this chapter)