The AI of Core Striker had to get some time in order to get used to Hikaru. So it would refer to him as "New Face". It would usually be amazed at Hikaru's unpredicted acts of rescue. As a result, the AI felt it could no longer keep up with Hikaru and asked Ishiguro to replace him. Instead, the captain upgraded the car into "Max". Now it could understand Hikaru's mind and now refer to him by his code name, R1. Core Striker's AI was shown to have a little human humor and antics. Once, it "slapped" Hikaru on the back with its car door.