(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Robotic Shorts Can Extend Energy for Walking or Running
Researchers have created a wearable device they say can extend energy while providing assistance for walking and running.
The robotic device, called an exosuit, is described in a study in the magazine Science. Researchers from Harvard University's Wyss Institute say the exosuit demonstrates great possibilities for future inventions of lightweight wearables that could have mass appeal.
Many wearable assistive devices developed in the past have been designed mainly to help people with physical disabilities. The new exosuits could also help disabled people. However, they could also provide energy and speed to everyone.
The device is about five kilograms. It was built to be "simplified and nonrestrictive" compared to other wearable devices.
The robotic shorts are made of soft, stretchy material. A computer and motor control the device, which attaches around the waist and thighs. Cables connect the motor to the user's upper leg. With each step, the system creates pressure on the cables. This gives power to the upper leg muscles.
The team called its system a "breakthrough" in wearable technology. One reason for this is that it is very difficult to build a device to assist both walking and running. Past developments have centered on either activity, but not both.
Walking and running use different hip movements, also known as a person's gait. The new exosuit uses sensors and an algorithm to help it recognize which gait is being used. The device then attempts to provide assistance with walking or running motions.
The study found that a main result of this assistance is a reduction in the "metabolic cost" to a walker or runner. Metabolism is the process by which living things turn food into energy. A reduced metabolic rate means a person will use less energy while performing a physical activity.
In tests, the exosuit reduced the metabolic rate of walking by 9.3 percent, the researchers said. For running, the metabolic cost dropped about 4 percent. Less energy was required in tests involving flat surfaces as well as on hills, the study found.
Conor Walsh is a professor at the Wyss Institute. He helped lead the study. He admitted that the metabolic reductions were not huge. But he said the research presents possibilities for further development in wearable device technology.
Walsh said the study demonstrates that a lightweight wearable assisting device can help "pave the way for these systems to become ubiquitous in our lives."
The researchers noted that the lower metabolic rates also have the effect of making a person feel lighter. The testing showed that a person walking with the device would feel 7.4 kilograms lighter. A runner would feel 5.7 kilograms lighter.
The team is still doing research. No devices are currently available to the public. One of the team's major goals is to reduce the weight of the device by at least 40 percent. Researchers also plan to add more individualized assistance possibilities. They also hope to improve the system to fit as many uses as possible.
In addition to people with disabilities, the team hopes the devices can help people at risk for work injuries as well as those who just want to improve their physical performance.
I'm Bryan Lynn.
重点解析
重点讲解：
1. be made of （由…）构成的；（由…）制成的；
The top of the table is made of glass.
桌面由玻璃制成。
2. center on 把…当作中心；（使）成为中心；
Speculation centred on a likely bid price of 380p a share.
大多数人猜测买方出价可能为每股380便士。
3. turn into (使)变成；(使)成为；
A prince turns into a frog in this cartoon fairytale.
在这个卡通童话里王子变成了一只青蛙。
4. pave the way for 为…铺平道路；
This decision paved the way for changes in employment rights for women.
这项决议为修改妇女就业权利创造了条件。
参考译文
机器人短裤可令行走和跑步更节能
研究人员开发出一种可穿戴设备，他们说这种设备可以减少能量消耗，同时为行走或跑步提供辅助。
这个机器人设备名为机械护甲，《科学》期刊上发表的一篇研究对其进行了介绍。哈佛大学威斯研究所的研究人员表示，机械护甲的研发证明，未来发明出极具吸引力的轻薄型可穿戴设备的可能性极大。
此前开发的大多数可穿戴辅助设备的主要目的是帮助伤残人士。而这一新型机械护甲不仅能帮助残疾人士。还能为所有人提供能量和速度。
该设备大约重5公斤。与其他可穿戴设备相比，这一设备要更简化、不约束。
机器人短裤由柔软且可伸展的材料制成。该设备由连接在腰部和大腿附近的计算机和电机控制。电缆将电机和使用者的大腿相连。使用者每走一步，该系统都会在电缆上产生压力。这继而会为大腿肌肉注入力量。
研发团队称这一系统是可穿戴技术领域的“重大突破”。其中一个原因是，开发出既能辅助行走又能辅助跑步的设备非常难。以前的开发均集中在一种活动上，没有聚焦过两种活动。
行走和跑步的送髋动作不同，这也被称为个人步态。新型机械护甲使用传感器和算法来帮助设备识别使用者用了哪一种步态。随后，设备会试图为行走或跑步的动作提供辅助。
这项研究发现，这种辅助的主要成果是减少人们在行走或跑步时的“代谢值”。新陈代谢是生命将食物转化成能量的过程。代谢率降低意味着人们在进行体育活动时所用的能量减少了。
研究人员表示，在测试中，机械护甲将行走的代谢率降低了9.3%。跑步的代谢值则降低了约4%。研究发现，无论是在平地还是山区测试，该设备都能降低所需能量。
康诺·沃尔什是威斯研究所的一名教授。他协助负责开展该研究。他承认代谢降低的幅度并不大。但他表示，这项研究提出了可穿戴设备技术进一步发展的可能性。
沃尔什表示，该研究表明，轻薄型可穿戴辅助设备有助于“为这些系统成为我们生活中无处不在的存在铺平道路。”
研究人员指出，代谢率降低还能令人们感觉更轻盈。测试表明，穿上这个设备行走时，人们会感觉减重了 7.4 公斤。而跑步时则会感觉减重了5.7公斤。
该团队仍在进行研究。目前没有可供公众使用的设备。该团队的其中一个主要目标是，将这一设备的重量至少减少40%。研究人员还计划添加更多个性化辅助功能。他们还希望能改进系统，使其尽可能适合更多使用者。
除了残疾人之外，该团队希望设备还能帮助有受工伤风险和希望提高体能的人群。
布莱恩·林恩报道。
译文为可可英语翻译，未经授权请勿转载！
