2016年CRI Chinese Automakers Push Forward in Developing Self-driving Vehicles

 

Chang'an Automobile², a well-known Chinese automaker specializing in passenger cars and minivan production, has brought a couple of its prototype self-driving sedans to take part in the 2016 Beijing Auto¹ Show.

With a test engineer behind the wheel, but with his hands in his lap, the automated³ system was able to guide the car along a public highway at 80 kilometers per hour.

It was also able to adjust speed for traffic and speed-limit signs while keeping to its lane.

Li Zengwen, a development engineer for Chang'an, hailed the cars' self-drive capabilities⁴.

"Because our self-driving vehicle system has already developed up to this point, we think that in terms of reliability⁵ and its degree of maturity⁶, it's already pretty good. Because in the past we have already done a large amount of tests, and we can already do a long-distance test in actual conditions on real public roads."

According to one of the firm's executives, a self-driving model should be on the market in 2 to 3 years, with the automaker spending over 770 million U.S. dollars to further the technology by 2020.

Also exhibiting at this year's auto show, the Beijing Automotive Industry Company allowed car enthusiasts⁷ and media alike to test out several of its self-driving demo car models on a test track course.

Xuan Fei, a 30-year-old car salesman, said the technology could indeed change the future.

"If these automatic cars could replace the traditional type of cars, I believe that in the future, traffic accidents, and certain traffic inconveniences, will definitely decrease dramatically."

Bill Xing, a car interface⁸ engineer, believes that, although good to experience, self-driving vehicles are still in the process of development.

"First off, this is a test car, a demonstration⁹ car, and the arrangement of the equipment inside it isn't very logical. But I think that if (such car) was successfully developed, it would be really convenient to travel in one. But although back there at the end of the test drive it ran into a few problems, my hand was able to assist it so it could basically complete the drive, so I think as a whole it was a good test drive."

Chinese companies are far from alone in developing driverless technology. They face strong competition from high tech companies around the world such as Google and Apple.

Finbarr O' Neill, President of the global marketing¹⁰ information service company J.D. Power, believes that China has some way to go to become a global pacesetter in autonomous¹¹ driving.

"I think autonomous cars are some distance off, there are a number of issues which have to be resolved there. But the expectation for these features is relatively¹² high, as is the conductivity that people expect in a car."

Figures from last year's World Economic Forum¹³ survey suggest that 75 percent of Chinese citizens might consider riding in a self-driving car.

Boston Consulting Group, a world leading advisor¹⁴ on business strategy, also predicted that China will become the largest market for autonomous features within two decades.

For CRI, I'm Xie Cheng.

1 auto   

n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车

参考例句：

• Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
• The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。

2 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

3 automated   

a.自动化的

参考例句：

• The entire manufacturing process has been automated. 整个生产过程已自动化。
• Automated Highway System (AHS) is recently regarded as one subsystem of Intelligent Transport System (ITS). 近年来自动公路系统(Automated Highway System,AHS)，作为智能运输系统的子系统之一越来越受到重视。

4 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

5 reliability   

n.可靠性，确实性

参考例句：

• We mustn't presume too much upon the reliability of such sources.我们不应过分指望这类消息来源的可靠性。
• I can assure you of the reliability of the information.我向你保证这消息可靠。

6 maturity   

n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期

参考例句：

• These plants ought to reach maturity after five years.这些植物五年后就该长成了。
• This is the period at which the body attains maturity.这是身体发育成熟的时期。

7 enthusiasts   

n.热心人，热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A group of enthusiasts have undertaken the reconstruction of a steam locomotive. 一群火车迷已担负起重造蒸汽机车的任务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Now a group of enthusiasts are going to have the plane restored. 一群热心人计划修复这架飞机。 来自新概念英语第二册

8 interface   

n.接合部位，分界面；v.(使)互相联系

参考例句：

• My computer has a network interface,which allows me to get to other computers.我的计算机有网络接口可以与其它计算机连在一起。
• This program has perspicuous interface and extensive application. 该程序界面明了，适用范围广。

9 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

10 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

11 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。

12 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

13 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

14 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。