The Two Sides' Robots Face Off

Perhaps Skye's ability to read people wasn't quite perfect yet, and she couldn't understand the so-called atmosphere. But as soon as someone spoke, she could immediately and cleverly find her place and respond.

In situations like this, she didn't hesitate to side with Tony Stark. "Of course, that little robot was better than BB. BB's spherical body isn't as stable."

"Take the way you were holding the bottle just now. Although BB wouldn't shake like someone with Tourette syndrome, he could shake a perfectly good bottle of wine like a Category 10 tsunami."

"But making sure the wine doesn't slosh at all is definitely impossible. I just wonder what functions that little robot had. When it comes to certification in this area, I'm the most authoritative person."

As the only living, breathing person BB had taken to bathe, Skye certainly had the right to say that. That bathing function was no less than throwing a cat into a washing machine; it practically ripped Skye's skin off.

Whether it was the presence of Catherine Hepburn or Tony Stark's genuine desire to compete with Henry's domestic robot system, he seemed particularly eager to show off, and even wore a smug expression.

"The functionality already covers all common household chores. Even for things JARVIS 've never done before, JARVIS can edit reasonable action programs on the spot and adjust them based on feedback, as long as you point out where it's not done well enough."

"Moreover, I don't use just one robot to control the entire field. Each area has a responsible robot, and each has a different focus system depending on its function. It can also achieve multi-robot linkage to perform complex tasks."

"If there's anything I'm not satisfied with, it's that the cooking function isn't good enough. Artificial Intelligence still has a long way to go before it can automatically download recipes and make edible dishes."

"At least for now, it's impossible to have three different meals a day, 365 days a year, with varied flavors. Otherwise, you have to endure those 'nutritious' menus that even pigs wouldn't eat."

Although Skye primarily focused on Hacker, she also made considerable efforts in engineering when she was initially left with the Hepburn Family by Henry in order to counter the tracking technology of a certain Kryptonian.

So after Tony Stark explained his strengths, Skye asked the question she'd been wanting to ask all along. "Why not make it humanoid? Your robot moves on tracks, with a robotic arm." Henry's robot was like a ball, and the robotic arm had to be replaced as needed. What If...? it were like a human, with tools, wouldn't it be able to do anything?

Tony Stark, perhaps in a particularly good mood, answered generously, "Simply put, it's a matter of efficiency. Take the seemingly simple act of standing upright, for example; even when a tracked machine is turned off, it remains stable."

"However, both spherical and humanoid shapes require consideration of balance. You have to waste extra space to set up gyroscopes and waste extra computing power to dynamically correct the balance. What If...? you use appropriate shapes and functional arms, you can reduce a lot of wasted resources and time."

"Furthermore, don't expect a single machine to handle everything. The advantage of machines lies in processing large amounts of repetitive tasks. It can do it a hundred times, and the result will be the same every time."

"What If...? you want to be able to handle all emergencies flexibly and be omnipotent, and from a cost-effectiveness perspective, want to do the most with the least amount of money, then the most cost-effective approach is to hire a human being, not to use a machine."

"Huh?" Skye's eyes widened in surprise. "If using living people is the cheapest option, then why bother making machines to do things?"

"Even with trust issues, machines won't constantly demand labor rights, protest excessive working hours, or engage in workplace sexual harassment. Machines don't have these human flaws because their costs are elsewhere."

"Hey~." Skye's perfectly timed approving sound made Tony Stark feel elated. He even deliberately glanced in Henry's direction, as if in a show of defiance.

This isn't to say that flattery will have the same effect. At least in Tony Stark's eyes, this underage girl hasn't yet learned the shrewdness of a worldly person.

Looking into such a person's clear yet foolishly worshipful eyes, they seem far more credible than those who are two-faced and hypocritical.

Tony Stark, who was already used to such adoring gazes, was certainly not going to be so easily swayed by a little girl.

He suddenly changed the subject, asking, "You must be bored listening to us talk about these things. Would you like Pepper to show you around the house?" The cautious Lorna Dane remained silent, unlike Skye, who could engage in lively conversation with Tony Stark. This was mainly because the Mutants girl didn't know how to deal with a notorious playboy.

However, Henry doesn't really believe that Tony Stark is so meticulous and considerate of everyone's feelings.

Rather than saying he genuinely cared about these people, it's more accurate to say he wanted to get rid of them. The reason he didn't directly tell them to get lost was because Catherine Hepburn was present. If Tony Stark had been that rude, guess what would have happened to him.

Among the shrewd people present, the most astute was the nearly 100-year-old man. Catherine Hepburn, upon hearing Tony Stark's words, naturally knew what the young man was up to.

The old lady also didn't want the two girls to stay within the young master's sight. "Beware of fire, theft, and Stark" —this was a family motto first established by the Hepburn Family.

So Catherine Hepburn went along with it. "Skye, Lorna, didn't you want to play in the water? We can go to the beach now. Shall we? We should have plenty of time before dinner."

"Yes!" the two girls cheered, raising their hands happily.

Skye, who had already exchanged a few words with Tony Stark, said in a coquettish tone, "Mr. Stark, could we borrow a car? We'd like to go buy some surfboards first."

"Surfboards? We don't need to buy those. Pepper, take the two kids to my collection room and pick one out for each of them, then they can go play on the beach."

A young master who is quite generous to women would certainly not care about something as trivial as a surfboard.

As if accustomed to Tony Stark's generosity, Virginia Potts readily stood up. "Alright, boss. Please follow me, gentlemen. These surfboards are all handcrafted longboards, rare finds."

Skye and Lorna Dane, however, were not overjoyed at the prospect of receiving a gift. They simply looked at the elderly Catherine Hepburn; only after she nodded did they happily escort Virginia Potts away. In fact, Catherine Hepburn knew that these men had something to discuss once again, as soon as she learned that Tony Stark had specifically requested Henry to come to Los Angeles.

So the shrewd veteran actress then said, "I'll go to the beach with those two kids. I haven't been to the seaside in ages." And she got up to leave.

"Happy." A lady left her seat, and Tony Stark, who also stood up, called to the man he trusted most. He tilted his head and tossed it towards Catherine Hepburn. "Take care of Kate for me, and watch the two children too."

"Okay. I'll go get the Motorcycle and swimming rings ready." Happy Hogan patted his beer belly. "You can't expect me to be a competent lifeguard right now."

"Go."