经济学人:车辆引擎管理:省油的电脑程序(2)

 　　Ultimately, the idea is that the algorithm will also learn from the experiences of its brethren in other cars, by arranging for all such systems to share their data online.  最终，通过数据在线分享的方式，可以获得其他车辆所获得的数据信息，这样就可以学习其他车辆上的经验。

　　Ideally, such a system would be fed its route and destination in advance, to make things easier to calculate.  理想条件下，该系统会事先被预设路线与目的地，以使计算变得更为容易。

　　But Dr Qi and Dr Barth are realists, and know that is unlikely to happen.  但Qi博士与Barth博士均为现实主义者，他们知道那并不太可能发生。

　　If a satnav were invoked¹, it would be able to pass relevant information on to the algorithm.  如果使用卫星导航，它确实可以给该系统传送相关信息。

　　But drivers use satnavs only to get them to unfamiliar² destinations.  但司机只有在去陌生地点时才会使用到导航。

　　Hence the researchers’ decision to design a system that does not rely on knowing where it is going. 因此研究人员决定研发一款不依赖于目的地位置的系统。

　　It seems to work—at least, in simulations.  至少在模拟状态看起来可行。

　　Using live traffic information to mimic³ journeys in southern California,  利用现实交通实况模拟南加州道路，

　　Dr Qi and Dr Barth compared their algorithm with a basic energy-management system for plug-in hybrids⁴ that simply switches to combustion⁵ power once the battery is depleted⁶.  Qi博士与Barth博士用他们的程序与普通燃油管理系统进行比较，后者用于传统带插头接电的混合动力车，当电池电量耗尽时，它能直接转换成汽油驱动的程序。

　　As they report in a paper to be published in IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, their system was 10.7% more efficient than the conventional one.  正如他们在一篇即将发表于IEEE智能交通系统的论文上所述的那样，他们的系统比传统车燃油利用率高出10.7%。

　　If the system is aware in advance that a recharging station will be used as part of the trip (which might be arranged by booking one via the vehicle’s information screen)  如果系统提前知道路上可以充电(这能通过在车上的信息屏幕进行预定，然后提前安排)，

　　it can spread the use of electric power throughout the journey, to maximum advantage, knowing when the battery will be topped up.  它能够在旅途中均衡使用电能，在知道电池在何时能够被充满的前提下，达到最大利用率。

　　In such situations the average fuel saving was 31.5%. 并且平均省油将达到31.5%。

　　Dr Qi and his colleagues now hope to work with a carmaker to test the algorithm on real roads.  Qi博士和他的同事目前希望能与汽车制造商合作，在实际道路上测试程序。

　　If all goes well, and their system proves able to cope with the nightmares of commuting⁷ in southern California, they will not be left stranded⁸ on the hard shoulder. 如果一切顺利，他们的系统将被证实能够解决南加州上下班路段的难题，那么也将不会出现车辆拥堵的情况了。

1 invoked   

v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求

参考例句：

• It is unlikely that libel laws will be invoked. 不大可能诉诸诽谤法。
• She had invoked the law in her own defence. 她援引法律为自己辩护。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 unfamiliar   

adj.陌生的，不熟悉的

参考例句：

• I am unfamiliar with the place and the people here.我在这儿人地生疏。
• The man seemed unfamiliar to me.这人很面生。

3 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。

4 hybrids   

n.杂交生成的生物体( hybrid的名词复数 )；杂交植物（或动物）；杂种；（不同事物的）混合物

参考例句：

• All these brightly coloured hybrids are so lovely in the garden. 花园里所有这些色彩鲜艳的杂交花真美丽。 来自辞典例句
• The notion that interspecific hybrids are rare is ill-founded. 有一种看法认为种间杂种是罕见的，这种看法是无根据的。 来自辞典例句

5 combustion   

n.燃烧；氧化；骚动

参考例句：

• We might be tempted to think of combustion.我们也许会联想到氧化。
• The smoke formed by their combustion is negligible.由它燃烧所生成的烟是可忽略的。

6 depleted   

adj. 枯竭的, 废弃的 动词deplete的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• Food supplies were severely depleted. 食物供应已严重不足。
• Both teams were severely depleted by injuries. 两个队都因队员受伤而实力大减。

7 commuting   

交换（的）

参考例句：

• I used the commuting time to read and answer my mail. 我利用上下班在汽车中的时间来阅读和答复给我的函电。
• Noncommuting objects are as real to the mathematicians as commuting objects. 对于数学家来说，不可交换的对象与可交换的对象是一样真实的。

8 stranded   

a.搁浅的，进退两难的

参考例句：

• He was stranded in a strange city without money. 他流落在一个陌生的城市里， 身无分文，一筹莫展。
• I was stranded in the strange town without money or friends. 我困在那陌生的城市，既没有钱，又没有朋友。