2018年CRI North America International Auto Show highlights self-driving

 

This year's North America International Auto¹ Show in Detroit, Michigan has been focused on self-driving technologies.

While significant advancements² continue to be made in the sector³, a lack of verification systems is said to be hindering the development of the technology.

00:00/03:23 Self-driving cars are dominating the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit, with discussion topics at different panels during the auto show focused on the automated⁴ sector.

Audiences here are showing a decent amount of interest in the technology, while many automakers are scrambling⁵ to stake their claim in the sector.

However, a growing number of voices from the US Department of Transportation, as well as some of this year's participants, are suggesting that the next major step is the establishment of a safety verification system that's recognized by everyone within the industry.

US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, addressing the auto show, says many Americans still have doubts about the technology.

"Many have concerns about the safety, security and privacy of autonomous⁶ vehicle technology. A recent AAA survey found that 78% of American surveyed are afraid to ride in a driverless car. If you refer to it as a self-driving car, the anxiety drops a little bit, but there's still anxiety. So there are legitimate⁷ public concerns that must be addressed before this technology can reach its full potential in our society."

A number of automakers and tech companies participating at this year's event in Detroit are also expressing similar concerns.

Jack⁸ Weast is the chief architect of autonomous driving solutions at Intel.

He says the main reason why people don't trust self-driving cars is that there's no established tech verification system at the moment.

"And part of lack of trust, that difficulty in trusting in these vehicles, is consumers being unaware⁹ of how the cars are making decisions. So if we as an industry can get together and show them that there's a model for decision making, that can be formally verified, proven correct, we think that's an important step towards making customers or consumers more comfortable with these cars and showing them that they will be safe on the road."

The US government has been active in promoting the establishment of such systems.

In September, the US Department of Transportation released a new Automated Driving Systems guideline designed to try to give car companies more autonomy in testing their technology.

Transport Secretary Elaine Chao says they intend to release an updated version of the guidelines this coming summer.

"This technology is changing so fast that a multi-model version, AV 3.0 is already in the works. We welcome your input¹⁰. Look for it to be released sometime this summer. The Department will update this guidance as often as needed. That's part of our commitment to streamline¹¹ the process and keep pace with innovation."

Despite the regulatory challenges, Jack Weast with Intel says the technology is still advancing.

"I think there's a lot of intelligence yet to be built into self-driving software. We certainly hope it's ubiquitous in five to ten years, but I certainly don't think it will become a commodity."

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 advancements   

n.（级别的）晋升( advancement的名词复数 )；前进；进展；促进

参考例句：

• Today, the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements. 当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Great advancements in drought prediction have been made in recent years. 近年来，人们对干旱灾害的预报研究取得了长足的进步。 来自互联网

3 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

4 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。

5 scrambling   

v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞

参考例句：

• Scrambling up her hair, she darted out of the house. 她匆忙扎起头发，冲出房去。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• She is scrambling eggs. 她正在炒蛋。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 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。

7 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

8 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

9 unaware   

a.不知道的，未意识到的

参考例句：

• They were unaware that war was near. 他们不知道战争即将爆发。
• I was unaware of the man's presence. 我没有察觉到那人在场。

10 input   

n.输入(物)；投入；vt.把(数据等)输入计算机

参考例句：

• I will forever be grateful for his considerable input.我将永远感激他的大量投入。
• All this information had to be input onto the computer.所有这些信息都必须输入计算机。

11 streamline   

vt.使成流线型；使简化；使现代化

参考例句：

• We must streamline our methods.我们必须简化方法。
• Any liquid or gas passing it will have streamline flow.任何通过它的液体或气体将呈流线型的流动。