VOA常速英语2015--科学家们创造可触摸的虚拟影像

Scientists Create 'Touchable' Virtual Objects 科学家们创造可触摸的虚拟影像

Technology is already capable of tricking most of our senses ... laser holography can create three-dimensional images where nothing exists, stereo sound can surround us, and smells can be infused into the air. Now, scientists are starting to break the next barrier - the sense of touch.

Scientists at a British university have developed a device that makes our hands feel objects that are not there.

Motion recognition technology already allows users to command computer-controlled devices by waving a hand above a sensitive surface. But feeling the actual object, such as the car radio’s tuning¹ button, would give us more feedback, making the motion more precise.

动作识别技术已使得用户能够通过挥手对电脑控制的设备下达命令。但感觉如汽车收音机调谐钮等的实际物体将会给我们更多反馈,使得动作更加精确。

Researchers at the University of Bristol’s Computer Science Department have developed a device that adds tactile² sensation to a holographic image.

布里斯托尔大学计算机科学系的研究人员已经研发出一种将触感增加到全息图像上的设备。

Co-developer of the technology, Sriram Subramanian, said it works on the same principle as the pressure of soundwaves you feel in your chest at a rock concert.

协助进行技术研发的斯拉姆·萨勃拉曼尼亚表示它的工作原理相同，你感受到胸腔的声波压力时就好像正在上演一场摇滚音乐会。

“Instead of using the bass³ sounds, what we use is low-frequency ultrasound - about 40 kHz - and that way we can target it at a precise point on your fingertip or on your palm, and then you feel the palm vibrate and it feels precise as well,” said Subramanian.

“我们没有使用低音,而是使用40千赫的低频超声波，这样我们可以将它在你的指尖或手掌上定位到一个精确的点,而后你会感到手掌振动而且感觉同样精确。”

The soundwaves are emitted by an array of 64 small ultrasonic⁴ speakers, whose vibrations⁵ can be adjusted to create sensation of various shapes, and even their virtual movement.

这些声波是通过一排64个小型超声波扬声器发出,振动可以进行调整从而创造各种形状的感觉,甚至自身的虚拟运动。

Subramanian said the speakers can create hundreds of ultrasound focal points.

萨勃拉曼尼亚表示这些扬声器可以创造数以百计的超声波焦点。

“And when I do hundreds at a time and put a hundred focal points around your fingertip or around your palm, those hundred feel like a circle," he said. "And if I track your palm and move them up and down, and if I change the diameter of these focal points, you start feeling like you are going through a sphere. And this is how we generate shapes.”

“当我一次产生数百下的震动,这些声波焦点会围绕在你的指尖或掌心,感觉就像一个圆。如果我跟踪你的手掌并上下移动,如果我改变这些焦点的直径,你就会感觉自己好像正经过一个球体。这就是我们创造形状的原理。”

Subramanian said when it is fully⁶ developed, the so-called haptic technology may find application in various fields, from consumer electronics and home appliances to hospital operating rooms.

萨勃拉曼尼亚表示研发完成后,这种触觉技术可能会应用在从消费电子，家用电器再到医院手术室的各个领域。

1 tuning   

n.调谐，调整，调音v.调音( tune的现在分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• They are tuning up a plane on the flight line. 他们正在机场的飞机跑道上调试一架飞机。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The orchestra are tuning up. 管弦乐队在定弦。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 tactile   

adj.触觉的，有触觉的，能触知的

参考例句：

• Norris is an expert in the tactile and the tangible.诺里斯创作最精到之处便是，他描绘的人物使人看得见摸得着。
• Tactile communication uses touch rather than sight or hearing.触觉交流，是用触摸感觉，而不是用看或听来感觉。

3 bass   

n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴

参考例句：

• He answered my question in a surprisingly deep bass.他用一种低得出奇的声音回答我的问题。
• The bass was to give a concert in the park.那位男低音歌唱家将在公园中举行音乐会。

4 ultrasonic   

adj.超声的；n.超声波

参考例句：

• It was very necessary for people to take type-B ultrasonic inspection regularly.定期进行B超检查是十分必要的。
• Sounds are classified into two kinds: sonic and ultrasonic.声波分为两类，即普通声波与超声波。

5 vibrations   

n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动

参考例句：

• We could feel the vibrations from the trucks passing outside. 我们可以感到外面卡车经过时的颤动。
• I am drawn to that girl; I get good vibrations from her. 我被那女孩吸引住了，她使我产生良好的感觉。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。