As dawn broke and the door to the main control room opened, Nana's optical lens was flashing a steady blue light. Without looking up, she slid her finger across the virtual interface, and the last structural module slowly closed, revealing the complete 3D model of the entire harvesting platform.
Chen Hao walked in, carrying two lunchboxes. He placed one on the control panel and pointed directly at the un-colored machine in the center of the projection screen with his other hand.
"This is the 'Scythe Walker'?"
“Yes.” Nana withdrew the data stream. “The core design is complete and ready for manufacturing.”
Susan followed closely behind, her coat not yet fully on. She stood to the side of the projector, stared at the cutting table adjustment mechanism for a few seconds, and asked, "Is the transmission ratio set?"
“It has been optimized to 3.6 to 1,” Nana said, bringing up the parameter page. “It takes into account both cutting frequency and power load, and is suitable for the traction output range of the ‘Iron Spine’.”
Carl was the last to arrive. He walked in and immediately circled the projector. "It looks much better than the one in my dream last night," he said. "Can we get started now?"
“Okay.” Nana nodded. “The bill of materials, processing precision requirements, and assembly sequence have all been generated, and the local inventory meets 82% of the requirements. Missing parts can be made up by modifying existing parts.”
Chen Hao opened his lunchbox, took a bite, and said while chewing, "Don't rush into action. The drawings are out, but we need to make sure this thing can actually stand firm in the ground."
No one objected.
Susan sat down and pulled a notebook from her bag. "Let me start by saying something," she said, pointing to the air duct at the front of the model. "This anti-stick layer is currently using a composite coating, right?"
"Yes," Nana replied.
“Last time we tested the plow in the wet soil area, the same coating started accumulating mud in less than four hours,” Susan frowned. “If it gets clogged during harvest, and a pile of straw gets stuck behind, we’ll have to crawl in and unclog it?”
Carl grinned: "That wouldn't look good."
“There is an alternative.” Nana immediately brought up a new page. “I suggest using a plant-based eco-lubricating layer, which is made of local reed stem extract mixed with micro-ceramic powder. Its adhesion and moisture resistance have been verified in small roller tests.”
“It sounds like porridge,” Carl said.
"As long as the performance meets the standards, that's fine." Chen Hao swallowed the last bite of his rice. "Make a set of sample parts first, install them on the test section and run them once. If there are no problems, then we can use them in batches."
Susan closed the notebook and nodded gently.
The pace of the meeting quickened.
Nana continued the demonstration, explaining the working angle of the flexible stalk roller, the cutter drive method, and the center of gravity distribution logic item by item. Each point was marked with the stress simulation results and safety redundancy values.
"The overall weight is kept under 370 kilograms," she said. "It can be carried by two people and is suitable for manual or mechanical traction."
"The low center of gravity design is good." Susan looked at the chassis structure. "It won't flip over."
"It's just a bit ugly," Carl muttered. "It looks like a crouching iron crab."
"It needs to be able to work, not just look good," Chen Hao said. "You expect it to participate in a beauty pageant?"
Carl shrugged: "I just said it doesn't look presentable."
“Decent appearances won’t save the crops.” Chen Hao stood up and walked to the projector. “What we lack most right now is time. The wheat won’t wait for us to slowly experiment and make mistakes. As long as this design can get into the field, be harvested, and be transported out, it will be a success.”
Nana looked at the three of them: "Has the design proposal been approved?"
“Passed,” Susan replied.
“I have no objection,” Carl said.
Chen Hao didn't speak, but just stared at the floating model for a while. Then he reached out and pointed to the area below the cutting platform in the air.
"Let's add an observation window here," he said, "to make it easier to check for blockages."
"An inspection port has been provided," Nana added. "A transparent cover can be added in a later version."
"That's settled then." Chen Hao withdrew his hand. "The design is finalized, and we have a name. Next—"
"Call him 'The Scythe Walker'?" Karl suddenly asked.
"Didn't you find it hard to pronounce?" Chen Hao looked at him.
“It was hard to pronounce, but I remembered it.” Carl smiled. “Yesterday I even dreamed that it was walking on the ground, cutting crops and singing a harvest song.”
“That’s just your imagination because you’re starving,” Susan said.
“I think this name is fine.” Carl ignored her. “It’s not the main character, it’s a helper. It follows us, stops when it’s done. It doesn’t steal the spotlight, and it doesn’t slack off. ‘Scythe Walker’—it doesn’t matter if it’s slow, it’s always moving.”
The room fell silent for a moment.
Nana's camera tilted slightly, as if observing everyone's reaction.
"Not fully automatic, but always moving forward," she said. "We don't seek to be all-encompassing, but rather to be specialized. It will accompany us through every harvest season."
Susan said softly, "That's... kind of heartwarming."
"Robots can be sentimental?" Karl laughed.
“I’m just reiterating the original design concept,” Nana said, her tone unchanged. “This name fits the tool’s positioning.”
Chen Hao didn't laugh. He looked at the machine on the projection screen; its outline was clear, its structure compact, with no superfluous parts. It wasn't as ostentatious as combat equipment, nor as cumbersome as a transport vehicle. It was designed for harvesting wheat—simple and direct.
“Then let’s call it ‘Scythe Walker’,” he said. “From today onwards, it’s not just a drawing, it’s something we’re going to build together.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Nana saved the final design to the project directory. A task queue popped up in the lower right corner of the screen: First piece cutting component processing started, lubrication layer trial production arranged, traction interface verification plan.
The time is 7:43.
"Shall we go to the workshop now?" Karl asked.
"Let's wait for a set of data first," Nana said. "The last batch of durability simulations is still in the final stages; the results will be available in ten minutes."
"Can't we look around as we go?" Carl rubbed his stomach. "I'm hungry."
“You can go get some food first,” Susan said. “It’s not too late to start working once the data comes out.”
“I’m not going,” Carl shook his head. “I’ll be hungry no matter where I go.”
Chen Hao leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets. "Who slept enough last night? Raise your hand."
No one raised their hand.
“I knew it,” he said. “Nana stayed up all night, and the three of us didn’t get a full five hours of sleep in total. My head is all foggy right now.”
“I’m fine,” Nana said.
“Of course you’re normal,” Chen Hao glanced at her. “You’re a machine.”
“But she warned us not to push ourselves too hard,” Susan said, looking at Chen Hao. “You said it yourself.”
"I did say that," Chen Hao admitted. "But things are different now. The map is out, and the path is clear. No matter how difficult it is, we have to persevere."
“We still have to survive.” Susan opened her notebook. “I suggest we put in shifts. At least that way someone can stay awake and tighten the screws.”
“Agreed.” Carl raised his hand. “I can drink one less glass of water this afternoon and save time in the bathroom.”
“Drinking less water will only make you dehydrate faster,” Susan said.
“I’m thick-skinned,” Karl patted his chest. “I can take it.”
Nana then said softly, "Simulation complete."
Everyone looked at the screen.
The last set of curves converged smoothly, the red alert was not triggered, and the fatigue critical value was met.
"The structure is estimated to have a lifespan of 320 hours of operating time," she said. "With regular maintenance, it can support this season's harvest without any problems."
"Okay." Chen Hao straightened up. "Let's go."
The four of them stood up at the same time.
Susan closed her notebook, Carl picked up his backpack, and Nana turned off the projector. The lights in the control room automatically dimmed, with only the project directory still flashing, marking the latest entry: [Scythe Walker - Final Design] [Status: Pending Manufacturing]
They stepped outside; the corridor was quiet, with the faint sound of equipment running in the distance.
“You know what?” Carl suddenly said, “I used to think that farming was the least technical thing to do.”
"And now?" Susan asked.
“Now I know,” he stopped and looked back at the control room, “that even harvesting wheat can be done with high technology.”
No one responded.
But they are all leaving.
Footsteps echoed on the metal floor, one after another.
Chen Hao walked at the front, his hands still in his pockets.
He didn't turn around, but whispered:
"Don't talk like we're so great. We just don't want the crops to rot in the fields."
The door to the workshop ahead is already open.
Strong light comes out.
The mold for the first cutting blade is being heated.
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