VOA常速英语2016--无人驾驶汽车指日可待

Self-Driving Cars Are Just Around the Corner 无人驾驶汽车指日可待

After half a decade of hard times, U.S. car manufacturers sold more automobiles¹ last year to American customers than ever before. The cars Americans are driving are more fuel-efficient and typically loaded with electronic devices. But within a decade, manufacturers say drivers should expect semi-autonomous² and fully³ autonomous cars that will make driving safer and less tiring.

In 2004 U.S. military research agency DARPA challenged automotive engineers to try to build a self-driving car. Though the course had only simple obstacles and no other traffic, none of the vehicles reached the end.

2004年，美国军事研究机构美国国防部高级研究计划局（DARPA）为汽车工程师们出了一道难题，那就是建造一辆无人驾驶汽车。虽然工程师们面临的只是简单的障碍而且没有其他交通工具,但没有一辆车能够抵达终点。

Twelve years later the technology has advanced so far that manufacturers are testing it on roads with real traffic, trying to make it absolutely safe for both passengers and pedestrians⁴.

12年后的今天，无人驾驶汽车的技术已经有了显著飞跃，而且制造商们正在实际路况对无人驾驶车辆进行测试,试图让乘客和行人感到绝对的安全。

“I figured if I was able to make a car that was smart enough to drive itself, I could probably make a car that was smart enough to be a bit safer. So from my perspective, safety has always been our priority," said Ford's James McBride.

“我想如果能够制造一辆能够自主驾驶智能汽车的话,我会让这辆车智能到给驾驶者提供安全保障。因此从我的角度来看,安全问题始终是首要任务。”

Google admits that its experimental self-driving cars have had some close calls, but points out that in late 2014 incidents happened once every 1,300 kilometers, while last year they happened once every 8,500 kilometers.

谷歌承认其进行试验的自动驾驶汽车曾经险象环生,但指出2014年末的事故是行驶1300公里才发生,而去年则是8500公里后。

And it's not just about the safety, manufacturers also have to make sure consumers are willing to let go of the wheel.

不仅关乎安全,制造商们也必须确保消费者愿意放开方向盘。

“We don't want to go too far too fast because the customer may not be expecting that. There's a learning curve that has to take place," said Kia's Joseph Steffey.

“我们不想太过超前,因为可能这不是客户所期望的。人们需要经过一条认知曲线。”

One thing that can help customers get used to not being in control is the driving simulator. Wearing virtual reality goggles⁵ drivers can experience the sensation of being passive behind the steering⁶ wheel.

有一样东西可以帮助客户习惯脱离方向盘，那就是驾驶模拟器。戴上虚拟现实的护目镜后，司机们就可以体验在方向盘后被动驾驶的感觉了。

Some cars are already equipped with electronics stemming from the DARPA Grand Challenge, such as laser proximity⁷ sensors⁸, video cameras, lane-change warning lights and other devices.

一些汽车已经配备了源于美国国防部高级研究计划局设计难题的电子产品,比如激光距离传感器、摄像机、前馈警告灯及其他设备。

Researchers say future cars will also be able to communicate with the world around them, such as pedestrians’ smart phones.

研究人员表示未来的汽车还可以同行人的智能手机等周遭环境进行沟通。

“We can see where that pedestrian is walking, and then we can actually pick them up if they walk out in front of the car, and the car will choose to stop," said Steffey.

“我们可以看到行人正在穿行,如果他们走到车前我们就会让他们上车,汽车会选择停下。”

Experts say that safe and affordable⁹ self-driving cars should be available to the average consumer within four to five years.

专家表示未来4至5年内每个人都会拥有一辆安全及可负担得起的自动驾驶汽车。

1 automobiles   

n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后，就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上，汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 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。

3 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

4 pedestrians   

n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Several pedestrians had come to grief on the icy pavement. 几个行人在结冰的人行道上滑倒了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Pedestrians keep to the sidewalk [footpath]! 行人走便道。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 goggles   

n.护目镜

参考例句：

• Skiers wear goggles to protect their eyes from the sun.滑雪者都戴上护目镜使眼睛不受阳光伤害。
• My swimming goggles keep steaming up so I can't see.我的护目镜一直有水雾，所以我看不见。

6 steering   

n.操舵装置

参考例句：

• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration. 他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。
• Steering according to the wind, he also framed his words more amicably. 他真会看风使舵，口吻也马上变得温和了。

7 proximity   

n.接近，邻近

参考例句：

• Marriages in proximity of blood are forbidden by the law.法律规定禁止近亲结婚。
• Their house is in close proximity to ours.他们的房子很接近我们的。

8 sensors   

n.传感器，灵敏元件( sensor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were more than 2000 sensors here. 这里装有两千多个灵敏元件。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Significant changes have been noted where sensors were exposed to trichloride. 当传感器暴露在三氯化物中时，有很大变化。 来自辞典例句

9 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。