Niu Xiaoqiang couldn't figure it out, and in the end he could only attribute it to cultural differences.

At eight o'clock the next morning, Niu Xiaoqiang woke up leisurely.

Karina was sorting out her suitcases on the first floor, and when she saw Niu Xiaoqiang coming downstairs, she smiled and said hello.

Niu Xiaoqiang was originally a little embarrassed, but when he saw that Kailina was so open, he didn't bother himself, and asked with a smile: "Kailina, how long do you need to travel this time?"

"It takes about ten days, mainly to register the company needs to go through the process, by the way, can you make a copy of your student ID card for me? I need the certificate to put the company under your name. ”

"You wait a minute, I'll go out and make copies. ”

Niu Xiaoqiang trotted all the way and found a copy of his student ID card at the nearest printing shop. By the time he got home, Kailin had packed her things and was ready to go.

Niu Xiaoqiang handed over the copy: "Karina, I wish you a smooth journey." ”

"Thank you. ”

Karina put the copy in the suitcase, and then waved goodbye to Niu Xiaoqiang. Niu Xiaoqiang kept sending her to the taxi before giving up.

In the next week, Niu Xiaoqiang spent the next week, often working overtime until more than two o'clock in the morning before resting. With his hard work, he finally completed the drawing design of the robot.

Niu Xiaoqiang did not delay, and immediately called Watson and explained the situation.

Watson's programming work would not have been possible until the robot was made. As soon as he heard that Niu Xiaoqiang had completed the drawing design, he immediately laughed happily and said, "Very good, you can rest for a day, and we will start the next work tomorrow." ”

Niu Xiaoqiang didn't feel tired at all, and said with a smile: "My mental state is very good, I don't need to rest, you wait a while, I'll take the design drawings over, and let's discuss the procurement together." ”

"Okay, I'll wait for you in the office. ”

After hanging up the phone, Niu Xiaoqiang rushed to Watson's office with his laptop.

The two discussed the purchase of spare parts according to the drawing design, but what Niu Xiaoqiang did not expect was that there were many spare parts that could not be bought in the United States and could only be purchased from Japan.

In Niu Xiaoqiang's impression, the United States' scientific and technological level is definitely the first in the world, so in the face of such a reality, he is a little difficult to accept: "Professor, the United States has such a strong scientific and technological level, how can it be necessary to go to Japan to purchase spare parts?"

Watson explained: "The U.S. is really strong in technology, but it's not as strong in every area as you might think, such as electronic sensing and automation equipment, which Japan is very good at, even better than the U.S., so we have to buy from them." ”

Niu Xiaoqiang was stunned for a moment before accepting the reality: "I see, do you need to go on a business trip to Japan for this purchase?"

Watson shook his head: "It doesn't need to be so cumbersome, we just need to contact the relevant manufacturers in the name of MIT, and place an order for them, and they will send the goods to us." ”

This is the United States, as long as it does not involve military secrets, they can procure anything without hindrance among the countries in the same camp. If it were another country, the Japanese might not be so easy to talk to.

Niu Xiaoqiang couldn't wait for this: "The matter of inquiry will trouble the professor, I am a Chinese, it is inconvenient to show my face, Japan has many export restrictions to China, so as not to cause accidents and delay the follow-up progress." ”

Watson nodded: "I know this, you determine the list of spare parts that need to be purchased in the end, and I will immediately inquire with the relevant manufacturers after it is confirmed." ”

Niu Xiaoqiang didn't say anything more and began to seriously review the purchase list.

He kept an eye on it, and removed all the things that he could make by hand from the procurement list, and only those that could not be made would be included in the procurement list. In this way, he can take advantage of the opportunity to earn more money.

The artificial intelligence project was originally a cover for Niu Xiaoqiang to earn start-up capital, and all the $110,000 he gave to Karina last night came from this project. The money had already been summed up by him as the cost of the drawing design, and even if the Foundation people reviewed it, they couldn't find any problems.

According to Niu Xiaoqiang's overall estimate, the AI project will require at least one million US dollars in research and development funds. The initial $300,000 was barely enough to make the robot, and subsequent testing and improvements required a lot of financial support.

Of course, labor costs will account for the lion's share of the cost of testing and improvement. This is Niu Xiaoqiang's money-making project that has been planned for a long time.

"Professor, this is the list of spare parts that need to be purchased, some of which we can make ourselves, so there is no need to purchase, which can save R&D costs. ”

Niu Xiaoqiang obviously wanted to make more money, but he said it so high-soundingly, I didn't know that he really wanted to think about this project.

Watson took the list and checked it, then nodded: "I'll ask for a quote to see how much money it costs to purchase these spare parts." ”

Watson was an impatient, and as soon as he finished speaking, he pulled out a list, all of which were world-renowned companies. The list was compiled by MIT itself to make it easier for researchers to procure what they need while conducting research.

After more than half an hour of inquiry, the total price of this purchase list was counted. Including shipping, it will cost a total of 138,000 US dollars.

Those electronic sensors are not very expensive, mainly a few micro motors, which cost $10,000 each, and people don't bargain at all. A total of eight of these miniature motors needed to be procured on the list, and with shipping costs alone, it cost $83,000 alone.

After counting the purchase price, Watson showed a solemn look: "You still have 40,000 US dollars left, plus the purchase cost this time, we only have 52,000 US dollars left, this money is obviously not enough." ”

If calculated according to Niu Xiaoqiang's technical strength, 52,000 US dollars is only enough to pay his salary, and the remaining funding gap is a bit large. Even if Professor Watson doesn't want a penny's salary, it won't be enough to support the next research.

Niu Xiaoqiang smiled slightly: "Professor, we can make the robot first, as long as there is a physical robot, and the robot can operate normally, we have no problem applying for follow-up research and development funds." ”

This is equivalent to throwing a bait first and using it to scam money. As long as this bait is tempting enough, there is no need to worry about not getting R&D funds.

Watson couldn't help but smile and said: "I know you like money very much, just now I was worried that you don't want to work in vain, since you said so, I naturally have nothing to worry about, just follow your wishes." ”

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