Chapter Thirty-Two

When Peter and Magnus arrived at Richie Corporation for the follow-up meeting, the atmosphere was a bit more serious. The headed for the conference room at the 20th floor. Richie was already seated at the table, his usual smile replaced with a focused expression, and Chinonso was there, alongside some of their top engineers.

'Peter,' Richie said as he stood to greet him. 'Glad you could make it again. We're eager to discuss the next steps with the autonomous cars.'

Peter took his seat, his mind already working through the complexities they had discussed earlier. 'I've been reviewing the data, and it seems like we need more localised testing to address the unpredictable nature of traffic flows.'

Chinonso nodded. 'That's one of the key points. We've been doing more simulations, but real-world data is what we need to refine the system further. The unpredictable nature of human drivers is a massive challenge.'

Peter looked at the team. 'And we're also looking at AI updates from Mars Corporation. I believe if we combine your findings with our research, we could significantly speed up the process.'

The meeting continued with deeper dives into the technical aspects—looking at ways to merge data, refine AI algorithms, and integrate the systems more efficiently. The conversation wasn't just about fixing problems; it was about preparing the future. The partnership between Richie Corporation and Mars Corporation had grown stronger, and they knew that together, they could revolutionise urban transportation.

As the meeting wrapped up, Richie leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished table. A slow, confident smile spread across his face, the kind that only came after a breakthrough.

'We're on the right track, Peter,' Richie said, his eyes glinting with determination. 'I think it'll take a few more rounds, but we're close.'

Peter leaned forward, focusing on the work ahead. 'I agree. Let's keep going.'

Richie tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes. 'And Aston Martin… how did it go?'

Peter's lips curled into a grin. 'Better than expected. They proposed a partnership to develop a limited series of road-compliant V12 Vision models…'

Richie raised an eyebrow, impressed. 'That's big. So… did you take it?'

Peter let out a soft chuckle. 'Of course.'

The conversation shifted, and soon Peter and Magnus left for their board meeting at Mars Corporation. After the meeting, Magnus drove to his chic, modern apartment, while Peter returned home to his luxurious villa.

As he entered the villa, already dazzling with lights and still lively from the human staff and robots carrying out various tasks, Peter couldn't help but admire the beauty of technology. He parked his car at the entrance and handed the key to the valet, who was there to take his briefcase and folder. The valet then carried them to the study.

Peter began to climb the grand staircase towards his lavish bedroom, the soft carpet muffling his footsteps. Just before reaching the door, a quiet voice came through the discreet earpiece tucked behind his ear.

'Reminder: Follow-up video call with Aston Martin scheduled in fifteen minutes. Preparing the updated system protocol as requested.'

He paused mid-step, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Chijioke was always precise, a trait Peter had come to rely on.

'Has Ihunanya completed the data analysis from this morning's tests?' Peter's tone was calm but carried the weight of expectation.

Peter turned on his heel, the smooth fabric of his blazer shifting effortlessly with the motion. He strode towards the garage, his mind already calculating the next steps.

'The analysis is nearly complete,' Chijioke replied in its usual calm, measured tone. 'Ihunanya is finalising the last of the data points. However, we should hold off on sending it. They'll have follow-up questions after today's meeting, and it might be premature.'

Peter nodded, trusting the assistant's judgment. 'Understood.'

In the garage, the scent of freshly machined metal lingered in the air. Peter settled onto a bench, his blazer falling into neat lines as he adjusted his posture. A soft ping notified him of the incoming video call on his phone. He tapped the screen, and Richard Bennett's face appeared, sharp and composed. Richard, along with his team, was scheduled to leave for England the next day to head to Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. They were currently lodging at Paradise Hotel, a property owned by Mars Corporation.

'Good evening, Mr. Peter,' Richard said, his voice warm but businesslike. 'Thank you again for hosting us. We've reviewed the results of the inspection and are even more impressed than we were in person.'

Peter leaned in slightly, his fingers steepled together. 'That's encouraging. What's next?'

Richard paused, choosing his words carefully. 'We'd like to dive deeper into the collaboration aspect. We believe that your modifications could change the future of automotive technology, particularly in how AI can interact with high-performance vehicles.'

Peter's eyes flickered with interest. 'I agree, Richard. The potential is vast, and Ihunanya and Chijioke have a lot to offer.'

'We've also been thinking about how we could integrate more advanced AI systems into our production line, particularly for autonomous features. We'd like to explore the possibility of bringing you on board as a technical consultant,' Richard said, his voice calm but clearly excited.

Peter arched an eyebrow. 'Consultant? What exactly would that entail?'

'You'd be involved in the R&D phase of future models,' Richard explained, his tone steady but enthusiastic. 'Refining autonomous systems, implementing new features, and guiding the future of Aston Martin's AI technology.'

Peter's mind raced. He had always been captivated by technology, but this… this was different. Collaborating with Aston Martin wasn't just another project. It was an opportunity to leave a lasting mark.

After a brief pause, he nodded. 'I'm interested. Let's talk details.'

Richard's face lit up with a smile. 'Excellent. We'll have our legal team draft a preliminary contract. In the meantime, are there any immediate thoughts or modifications you'd like to discuss?'

Peter glanced at Ihunanya, who had been quietly observing from the corner of the garage.

Chijioke, the AI assistant, spoke up in its calm and precise tone, audible to both Peter and Richard. 'We do. Ihunanya and I have been working on refining the AI interface. We believe it can be more intuitive for less tech-savvy drivers. Would you be open to some interface modifications?'

Richard leaned forward, intrigued. 'Absolutely, Mr. Peter. Let's explore that further. Accessibility is key for a broader market.'

Peter nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. 'Then we have a lot to discuss.'