What if robots could evolve?

如果机器人可以自主进化的话，那么这将会是一幅怎样的场景呢？

It's the question asked by a group of scientists in Amsterdam, whose radical new project aims to create smarter, more advanced robots through a process similar to sexual reproduction.

这一问题由阿姆斯特丹的科学家们提出，他们创立一项不同凡响的新项目，旨在通过类似有性生殖的过程创造出更智能、更先进的机器人。

While the idea may sound far-fetched, they've already demonstrated a proof of concept – in February, two robot parents came together to 'mate,' and the first 'robot baby' was born.

虽然这一想法听起来有些难以置信，但是他们却已证明其确实可行：二月，一对机器人父母通过“交配”，生下了首个“机器人宝宝”。

In the Robot Baby Project at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, scientists have developed a way for robots to have 'sex' and pass on their DNA to offspring.

在阿姆斯特丹自由大学的“机器人婴儿项目”中，科学家已经研发出一种使机器人通过“性交”而将DNA传递给后代的办法。

Doing this can allow them to 'develop their bodies through evolution,' making for successive generations that have more advanced physical and behavioural capabilities.

这一做法可使机器人实现自我进化发展，从而使其后代能拥有更高级先进的身体机能和行为能力。

As the process continues, the researchers say robots can become more suitable for use in unknown environments that could be hazardous to humans, like deep sea mines or even other planets.

随着研究推进，研究人员认为这些机器人更适合用在对人类有害的未知领域中，比如深海矿井甚至是其它星球。

'We have two robots that meet and mate, and just as in the animal kingdom, this results in a baby,' says Guszti Eiben, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at VU, in a video explaining the concept.

阿姆斯特丹自由大学的人工智能教授Guszti Eiben在一段视频中对这一概念解释道：“就像在动物界里一样，两个机器人相见交配，然后就有了宝宝。”

The robots live, work, and reproduce in an 'Arena,' where they are able to select a suitable mating partner.

这些机器人在实验室的“人生舞台”上生活、工作和繁殖，在那里它们可以选择适合交配的另一半。

When the two robots come together, they are then able to communicate and even mate.

当两个机器人邂逅相遇，它们可以相互交流甚至交配。

'When they evaluate each other favourably, they send their genomes through the Wi-Fi network,' says Milan Jelisavcic, a PhD student at the university.

该大学的博士生Milan Jelisavcic说：“当它们评估对方为积极良性时，会通过Wi-Fi发送各自的基因组。”

'A sexual reproduction mechanism then creates the new genome. Code of this genome is sent to the 3D printer then, for printing new components.'

“这种有性繁殖机制能创造出新的基因组，然后这一基因组代码会被发送至3D打印机上，进而打印出机器人宝宝的组成部件。”

During a year-and-a-half development period, the researchers were able to achieve the implementation of a full life cycle.

在一年半的研发进程中，研究人员实现了一个完整的生命周期测试。

When the parent robots 'reproduce,' their features are randomly recombined.

当机器人父母“繁衍后代”时，他们的特征是随意组合的。

This includes the brain – software – and the hardware.

这其中包括大脑（软件）和硬件。

'With evolutionary techniques, we evolve the neural networks of the robots,' explains Jacqueline Heinerman, PhD student at VU, in the video.

视频中，学校里的另一个博士生杰奎琳•海纳曼解释道：“随着技术发展，我们能够开发机器人的神经网络。”

These neural networks are responsible for their behaviours.

这些神经网络主控机器人的行为。

The lab also contains a 'Birth Clinic' and a 'Nursery' for the robotic child, and once born, each must undergo a learning process.

研究实验室中还为机器人宝宝设立了“产房”和“育儿室”，出生后，每个机器人宝宝都必须进行学习。

If it is deemed satisfactory, the child then becomes an adult, and potentially, a parent.

一旦它们符合条件要求，便可步入成人阶段，还有可能为生育下一代做准备。

Researchers say this marks the start of a new era – the Industrial Evolution.

研究人员认为，这标志着“工业进化”新时代的开始。

In this state, machines could autonomously operate and reproduce.

依此看来，机器人可以自主操作与繁殖。

One day, they say, this new form of evolution could even play a critical role in the colonization of Mars.

他们表示，终有一天，这一全新的进化方式将在殖民火星的过程中扮演举足轻重的作用。