(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.
Many automobile makers present their newest designs at car shows around the world. Many designers seek to create the car of the future. One device that is popular among car manufacturers is an autopilot. Autopilot permits a car to drive itself without human control.
A recent car show in Geneva, Switzerland also presented other possible designs, including cars manufactured in 3D printers.
Rinspeed is a Swiss design company. It demonstrated a vehicle based on the U.S. electric car Tesla Model S, but the Rinspeed car includes a large television and an espresso coffee maker.
Frank Rinderknecht is the chief executive officer of Rinspeed. He says he does not want to just sit and watch the steering wheel turn as he rides in a car with autopilot.
"I want to ride, I want to sleep, relax, watch movies, news, anything else. So that's the vision which we have. That one day on the boring motorway traffic, you just do anything which makes your life better," said Rinderknecht.
One of the most interesting ideas presented at the show is a car built on a 3D printer. The German engineering firm EDAG designed the car. The body of the vehicle called 'Genesis' is printed in one piece from a material called thermoplastic.
Cristoph Horvath is a spokesman for EDAG.
"To create a car without the use of any tool. This would be a real revolution for the industry," said Horvath.
EDAG says it based its design on a turtle shell. The company says the design provides the right amount of strength and firmness.
Other automakers did not look so far into the future. Czech automaker Skoda presented its 'Vision C' model vehicle. The car has an environmentally friendly natural gas engine.
Jo Davidson is a company spokeswoman. She says the car releases very low levels of the pollutant gas CO2. Ms Davidson says the 'Vision C' plans to be launched in two years.
The Swedish company Volvo presented its so called Estate Concept car. Cecilia Stark is the design manager for Volvo. She says their design is all about comfort and creativity.
"It's to show the Scandinavian arts and crafts and music scene, and fashion and things like that. To be emotional, expressive, charm-full," said Stark.
But the car also has high level technology. All the controls in this car can be operated by voice or a large touch screen. Experts say the idea is close to being ready for sale to the public.
And that's the VOA Learning English Technology Report. For more technology stories, go to our website learningenglish.voanews.com. I'm Jonathan Evans.
文本来自51voa，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.autopilot n. [航] 自动驾驶仪（等于automatic pilot）
The aircraft engines, autopilot, and navigation system are absolutely reliable.
飞机发动机，自动驾驶仪和导航系统绝对可靠。
2.espresso n. （用汽加压煮出的）浓咖啡
Italian espresso coffee.
意式浓咖啡。
3.thermoplastic adj. 热塑性的 n. [塑料] 热塑性塑料
Thermoplastic and thermosetting substances are called plastics.
热塑塑料和热固的物质称为塑料。
内容解析
1.Experts say the idea is close to being ready for sale to the public.
for sale 出售；待售
How long has that house been up for sale?
那房子提出变卖已多久了？
All the shops on the seafront had crab for sale.
海滨地区的全部商店都出售蟹。
参考译文
这里是美国之音慢速英语科技报道。
许多汽车制造商都在全世界车站上展出最新车型，许多设计者希望能设计出未来的汽车。自动驾驶仪很受汽车制造商青睐，这种设备使得汽车能在无人操作下行驶。
最近在日内瓦举行的车展上，瑞士也推出其他可能的设计方案，包括用3D打印机制造的汽车。
林斯比得是瑞士一家设计公司，该公司展出了基于美国电动车特斯拉S型电动车的汽车，但林斯比得的汽车还包括大型电视和一台咖啡机。
弗兰克·林德克奈彻特是林斯比得的总裁，他说不想在驾驶配备自动驾驶仪的汽车时只是坐在那里看着方向盘。
“我想开车，想睡觉、想休息、看电影、看新闻，什么都可以，这就是我们设计的初衷。有一天在无聊的高速路车流中，你可以做些让生活更美好的事情。”
车展上最有趣的的一个创意是用3D打印机制造的汽车，德国爱达克工程公司设计了这款汽车，名叫Genesis的车身是用名叫热性塑料的材料打印出来的。
克里斯托弗·霍瓦特是爱达克公司发言人。
“不用任何工具来制造汽车，这是汽车工业上的新革命。”
爱达克称是在龟壳的基础上设计的，称这款设计具备合理的力量和硬度。
其他制造商没有着眼于这么遥远的未来，捷克汽车制造商斯柯达展出Vision C概念车，这款汽车拥有环境友好型天然气引擎。
乔·戴维森是公司发言人，她说这款汽车排放的污染气体二氧化碳很少。戴维森女士说将在两年后向大众推出Vision C。
瑞典沃尔沃汽车公司展出Estate Concept概念车，塞西莉亚·斯塔克是沃尔沃设计经理，她说其设计全部都与舒适性和创意有关。
“这款设计表现了斯堪的纳维亚艺术、工艺和音乐氛围，以及时尚之类的东西。这样更有激情、表现力和魅力。”
这款车也具备很高的技术水准，汽车的全部控制都可通过声音或一个大的触摸屏进行。专家称该创意很快将向大众推出。
这就是美国之音慢速英语科技报道，登陆learningenglish.voanews.com获得更多科技报道，我是乔纳森·伊万斯。
