Worldskills 2011 Fair

A robotic elephant trunk and an electronic jellyfish are just some of the robots on show at a fair designed to inspire young people. It's hoped that the Worldskills 2011 fair will give insights into the future for the next generation of robotics experts.

Our reporter Li Dong has the details.

 
Imagine a robotic arm that can mimic¹ the movements of an elephant's trunk.

It is highly flexible and strong but can grip delicate objects - like a lemon or a small boy's head - with precision.

The bionic handling assistant consists of three basic elements for spatial² movement as well as a hand and a gripper with adaptive fingers.

The system is designed to be used wherever humans need non-hazardous support from machines, as an aid for the handicapped or even as an advanced handling support system in factories.

The manager of Festo Education, the company behind the design of the robotic arm, says that by following examples found in nature, automated³ movement will be able to be made even more energy efficient and productive in future technologies.

Another example of this kind of design is the AquaJelly - a robot in the shape of a jellyfish.

It's uncanny how much it actually behaves like a real life jellyfish - but nothing is down to coincidence: the AquaJelly has been specifically designed to simulate the swarming⁴ behavior of wild jellyfish.

It consists of an electric drive unit and intelligent adaptive mechanism⁵. The control board is housed in a translucent⁶ dome⁷. It has a water-tight body and eight tentacles⁸.

The AquaJelly has no real function, but here, at Worldskills, they have been given a new, funkier⁹ job - to spin CDs and dance for the crowds.

Another entertaining robotics stall is provided by Middlesex University, a UK university specializing in research into Autonomous¹⁰ Robotic systems.

They're displaying a pet robot dinosaur¹¹ - longing¹² for cuddles, and responding like a real-life pet.

Robotics can prove to be a fascinating area for young students, who, in this day and age, are used to multitasking and excelling in numerous disciplines.

Canadian Robotics expert Bob Towns explains, robotics brings together a mix of technology skills.

"We believe that it is a multi disciplined area were young people might learn many different areas of technology. They must understand mechanical systems, electrical systems, computer control systems, radio-controlled systems and it brings students a variety of directions. They come interested in one part and may find that they have a skill or a talent or an interest in another area they were not aware of."

Given the popularity of the robotics area at Worldskills, it seems there's a whole generation of robotic experts in the making.

For CRI, I am Li Doing.

1 mimic   

v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人

参考例句：

• A parrot can mimic a person's voice.鹦鹉能学人的声音。
• He used to mimic speech peculiarities of another.他过去总是模仿别人讲话的特点。

2 spatial   

adj.空间的，占据空间的

参考例句：

• This part of brain judges the spatial relationship between objects.大脑的这部分判断物体间的空间关系。
• They said that time is the feeling of spatial displacement.他们说时间是空间位移的感觉。

3 automated   

a.自动化的

参考例句：

• The entire manufacturing process has been automated. 整个生产过程已自动化。
• Automated Highway System (AHS) is recently regarded as one subsystem of Intelligent Transport System (ITS). 近年来自动公路系统(Automated Highway System,AHS)，作为智能运输系统的子系统之一越来越受到重视。

4 swarming   

密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去

参考例句：

• The sacks of rice were swarming with bugs. 一袋袋的米里长满了虫子。
• The beach is swarming with bathers. 海滩满是海水浴的人。

5 mechanism   

n.机械装置；机构，结构

参考例句：

• The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。
• The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。

6 translucent   

adj.半透明的；透明的

参考例句：

• The building is roofed entirely with translucent corrugated plastic.这座建筑完全用半透明瓦楞塑料封顶。
• A small difference between them will render the composite translucent.微小的差别,也会使复合材料变成半透明。

7 dome   

n.圆屋顶，拱顶

参考例句：

• The dome was supported by white marble columns.圆顶由白色大理石柱支撑着。
• They formed the dome with the tree's branches.他们用树枝搭成圆屋顶。

8 tentacles   

n.触手( tentacle的名词复数 )；触角；触须；触毛

参考例句：

• Tentacles of fear closed around her body. 恐惧的阴影笼罩着她。
• Many molluscs have tentacles. 很多软体动物有触角。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 funkier   

adj.时髦的( funky的比较级 )；有臭味的；节奏强适宜跳舞的；激起情感的

参考例句：

10 autonomous   

adj.自治的；独立的

参考例句：

• They proudly declared themselves part of a new autonomous province.他们自豪地宣布成为新自治省的一部分。
• This is a matter that comes within the jurisdiction of the autonomous region.这件事是属于自治区权限以内的事务。

11 dinosaur   

n.恐龙

参考例句：

• Are you trying to tell me that David was attacked by a dinosaur?你是想要告诉我大卫被一支恐龙所攻击？
• He stared at the faithful miniature of the dinosaur.他凝视著精确的恐龙缩小模型。

12 longing   

n.（for）渴望

参考例句：

• Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
• His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。