"I just took over Xiong Factory's business and found out that Wanli Travel and you have a joint research institute in the field of smart travel?"
"That's what happened."
This research institute was originally proposed by Lin Yi in order to use the technical reserves of Xiong Factory to support the business development of Wanli Travel. It was also one of the help provided by Robin Li during the honeymoon period of both parties.
The cooperation is still continuing, but after the end of the taxi-hailing war, its status has declined, because it no longer has to rely on Xiong Factory for long-distance travel.
Therefore, the institute's research methods have also changed accordingly. It has gradually shifted from a relatively "pragmatic" direction, that is, solving business problems, to a more "practical" direction, that is, exploring technological possibilities in unknown areas.
It's very expensive to play this game.
Although Lin made a profit promise to investors and cut off those business lines that were only out and out, the research institute was still retained.
Although Lin Yi asked the management to treat itself as a taxi company when streamlining its business, he was not unaware of the technical importance of being an IT company.
What's more, this is not just Wanli Travel, Xiong Factory plays a key role in it.
Lu Qi said in a timely manner: "I mentioned just now that Xiong Factory will return to the technology-driven road. My main idea, which is also my vision since Silicon Valley, is the true implementation of artificial intelligence."
"In my opinion, this is not the deliberately created sense of science fiction in Hollywood blockbusters, but a fruit that is about to mature and is likely to become a reality in the near future."
"Xiong Factory must seize this rare wave and play a leading role in it, so that we can return to the center of the technology industry stage."
"I call it All In AI, all in."
"This is basically recognized by Robin."
"Specifically, the travel field is one of the most imaginative and feasible scenarios that we consider to be one of the most imaginative and feasible scenarios. It is a battleground that we must not give up."
"So, we hope to deepen the cooperation between the two parties in this regard."
"What I mean is that we should consider raising our original joint research institute to a higher level and directly target autonomous driving technology."
From the moment Lu Qi neatly cut off the remaining assets of Xiong Factory in the O2O battlefield, Lin knew that he would still embrace the "All In AI" path without hesitation.
Although Lu Qi himself stayed at Xiong Factory for less than two years, judging from the observation of Lin Yi, a later follower, he did not leave any great legacy to Xiong Factory.
At least in the foreseeable future, Xiong Factory has not yet come up with a disruptive AI product.
Accurate to the next six years.
However, Lin Yi did not refuse casually, not only considering that the other party had just supported him, or because he was jealous of the domestic first-class technical reserves of the Greedy Bear Factory.
He kept thinking about what to do next.
To be honest, at this point in time, there are not many opportunities for Lin to use the experience he gained in his previous life to guide his own behavior.
Rather than telling him where to go, it's more about reminding him where the pit is.
Such as shared bicycles.
Electric vehicles can be built, and this is one of the few important conclusions that can be used directly.
But now that he has traveled thousands of miles, his family has a big business, and there are actually many things he can do. He can no longer rely entirely on them to make decisions.
Lu Qi's proposal is an opportunity.
Xiong Factory wants to engage in AI, or autonomous driving, so why should it involve Lin Yi?
Because he has data.
And in the entire story of autonomous driving technology, it is not prepared for private cars, and can obviously exert greater power in commercial scenarios.
In other words, there is a natural compatibility between the two parties, and coming together is something that benefits both sides.
The only problem is that Xiong Factory needs to take the lead.
This is not the same as the previous technological poverty alleviation. Since Xiong Factory regards this as its core strategy, of course it cannot let Lin Yi find one of his own to be the chief scientist like last time.
Lin Yi thought about it again and again and finally agreed.
Because even if there is no Xiong Factory, Wanli Travel will still have to try this aspect. Cooperating with Xiong Factory is definitely a lower-cost and more efficient way.
"I very much agree with Dr. Lu's idea. If that day can come soon, then the goal of smart travel we jointly pursue will be truly realized."
"But besides what I just said, I have some other suggestions."
Lu Qi is very satisfied with Lin Yi's cooperation. For him, compared to the artificial intelligence that he is obsessed with, the previously discussed how to deal with the takeaway business is irrelevant.
Lin Yi is not from Xiong Factory, so it is impossible for him to support Xiong Factory's renaissance without asking for anything in return, so it is appropriate to do so with conditions.
If he really wanted nothing, Robin Li and Lu Qi's first reaction would definitely not be that Lin Yi was righteous, but rather that they had missed something.
"you say."
"That's it. Wanli Traveling has made up his mind to build his own car some time ago. You should know this. I have also communicated specifically with Robin."
When Lin Yi spoke at that time, it was mainly to seek the support of Xiong Factory as a shareholder, and he had no idea what they were talking about today.
"An important leading advantage of electric vehicles compared to fuel vehicles is that they can be made intelligent. Some even say that electrification is just a prerequisite for achieving intelligence."
"My idea is that although the self-driving team created by the two companies has a high positioning, it may not be able to go that far in one step."
"We can gradually distribute the phased research results to the actual carrier, that is, the mass-produced vehicles that Wanli Travel will launch soon, so that they can be tested by roads and time."
"I believe that you have put so much effort into it, not just to create a toy in the laboratory, so this step is essential."
Robin Li and Lu Qi exchanged glances, and the more familiar former smiled and said: "You probably don't even have drawings for your electric car, how can you talk about a mass-produced car?"
Lin Yi solemnly said: "There will definitely be one, and it won't take too long."
"You should believe that a company that spent tens of billions of dollars in ammunition in three years to win the ride-hailing war is efficient enough."
After a little pretense, Robin Li and Lu Qi certainly wouldn't take it seriously, but Lin Yi's reminder was not unreasonable.
When they develop self-driving cars, they have to install them in cars, which seems to be a problem for Wanli Travel.
"I think it's okay."
So let’s settle it for now.
Of course, this is a cooperation that both Xiong Factory and Wanli Travel attach great importance to. The three of them just came across an intention.
As part of their respective future development strategies, there are still many details waiting for them to collide and adjust.
For Lin Yi, this is the first time he has made a bet on the future development of Wanli Travel without relying on proven experience.
In this way, the three-step strategy he had been considering for a long time gradually took shape.
In the short term, they will use "shared bicycles" as a cover to secretly achieve profitability and listing.
In the medium term, which is the foreseeable near future, we will take a share and occupy a place in the upcoming new energy wave.
In the long term, it depends on whether the autonomous driving technology led by Xiong Factory can be implemented. Even if it fails, it will help Lin Yi build a car with higher intelligence.
A hidden danger that cannot be ignored is that if this scenario is really realized, will Wanli travel be subject to the bear factory in the future?
At least at that time, traveling thousands of miles should not be Lin Yi's only bargaining chip.