(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.
Researches at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory [APL] in Laurel, Maryland have designed a new humanoid or human-like robot. Its name is Robo Sally. The machine can be controlled from a distance and can be used to do work that is dangerous for human beings.
Robo Sally has two long arms with human-like hands. She can use her fingers to pick up small objects, examine them in detail and do most things that human hands can do. Each finger contains a tiny motor, capable of squeezing 20 pounds of pinch force, enough to defuse a bomb under the direction of an operator.
She sits on a metal base with wheels that let her move around, turn in tight spaces and climb over small objects.
Robo Sally
Mike McLoughlin is the main investigator for the Applied Physics Laboratory's Prosthetics Program.
"The purpose of that program is to develop prosthetic arms that have all the capability of your natural arms, and you do all the complex motions that we can do with the natural arm - with the robot. So we had this idea if we did this for prosthetics for humans, we could also put these on robotic platforms and enable the robots to go out into dangerous situations."
It was a difficult job. Mr McLoughlin says the device had to have many small motors to have the ability to do what a human hand does. It also need to have human-like strength. The thumb was especially difficult because it permits the hand to hold objects. And everything had to fit into a space about the size of a human hand.
The next problem, he says, was to figure out how to control the artificial hand. "So we had to figure out how to make the connection between the brain and this arm. We've done that for spinal injury patients, where we can actually interface with the brain and use the patient's thoughts to control the arm."
For search-and-rescue duties, Robo Sally will be operated by a human being using a wireless machine that is far from the robot. The operator will also wear special gloves and glasses. The glasses were permitted the operator to see the robot's hands, even though they are far away.
Mr McLoughlin says this kind of robots could be used in what he calls "dull, dirty or dangerous" situations where fine human finger movements are required.
"Opening a door, or turning the valve of, you know, a factory or a power plant like Fukushima, that was all designed for humans. You need to be able to go in and have the human-like capabilities in order to be able to work in that environment."
Mr McLoughlin says the technology is not ready for everyday application, but he predicts that within five years we will see some wonderful improvements.
And that's the Technology Report from VOA Learning English.
译文属可可原创，仅供学习交流使用，未经许可请勿转载
词汇解释
1.humanoid adj. 像人的 n. 类人动物
Humanoid robots that could mimic a range of human activities.
可以模拟一系列人类活动的类人机器人。
2.defuse vt. 平息；去掉…的雷管；使除去危险性
Police have defused a bomb found in a downtown building.
警察已拆除了在市中心一幢大楼里发现的一枚炸弹的引信。
3.prosthetics n. [外科] 修复学，修补学；弥补术
But sometimes, science steps in to help animals, and one of the most prominent ways that happens is in prosthetics.
但是，有些时候，科学也会帮助动物，修复术就是其中最主要的一种方式。
4.interface vi.相互作用（或影响）； 交流，交谈
He had interfaced all this machinery with a master computer.
他已将这整台机器与一台主控计算机连接起来。
内容解析
1.And everything had to fit into a space about the size of a human hand.
fit into 适合，适应；符合
Any new buildings must be fitted into the existing appearance of the city.
任何新建筑都必须与全城的市容协调一致。
If I gain any more weight,I shan't be able to fit into my clothes.
假如我的体重还要增加，我就穿不进我的衣服了。
2.The next problem, he says, was to figure out how to control the artificial hand.
figure out 解决；算出；想出；理解；断定
It took them about one month to figure out how to start the equipment.
他们用了大约一个月的时间才弄明白如何启动这台设备。
They're trying to figure out the politics of this whole situation.
他们正试图弄明白整个形势的利害关系。
参考译文
这里是美国之音慢速英语科技报道。
位于马里兰州劳雷尔市的美国约翰霍普金斯大学应用物理实验室的研究者开发了一种新型类人机器人，它名叫机器人萨利，这种机器可以通过远程控制，可以在对人类危险的环境下工作。
机器人萨利有两条像人类那样的长手臂，她能用手指捡起小物品，仔细检查它们，能做人类双手能做的大部分工作。每个手指上都有个小马达，能产生20磅的握力，足以在操作员的指导下拆掉炸弹。
她坐在安有轮子的金属底座上，能在四周活动，在狭小空间转弯，并翻越小物品。
麦克·洛克林是这个应用物理实验室假肢项目的主要调查员。
“这个项目的目的是开发具有人手所有功能的假肢，使之能像人手那样做复杂的动作。所以，我们有了这么一个想法，如果能人类制造假肢，那就可以将它安在机器人平台上，使机器人进入危险的环境。”
这个任务可不容易，洛克林说机器人必须装有很多小马达，来拥有人手所具备的能力。它还需要有人那样的力量，拇指非常不好做，因为它得让手握住物品。所有的部件都必须放入人手那么大的空间里。
他说下一个问题是研究如何控制这个假手，“所以我们必须弄清楚如何连接大脑和手臂，我们在脊髓损伤患者身上做成功了，与大脑建立联系，使用患者的思想来控制手臂。”
在搜救工作上，机器人萨利能被远处的人员通过无线机器进行操作，操作者还要佩戴特殊的手套和眼镜。这种眼镜能使操作者远远地看清楚机器人的双手。
洛克林说，这种机器人可以用在需要人类手指灵活运动的所谓“无聊、肮脏和危险”的环境下。
“开门，打开门阀，比如福岛核电站，这都是为人类设计的。所以必须得进去，让具有人类能力的机器工作在这种环境下。”
洛克林说这项技术目前还不能用于日常应用，但他预料五年内将会出现相当强大的进步。
这里是美国之音慢速英语科技报道。
