VOA常速英语2016--无人驾驶汽车指日可待（在线收听）

Self-Driving Cars Are Just Around the Corner 无人驾驶汽车指日可待

After half a decade of hard times, U.S. car manufacturers sold more automobiles last year to American customers than ever before. The cars Americans are driving are more fuel-efficient and typically loaded with electronic devices. But within a decade, manufacturers say drivers should expect semi-autonomous and fully autonomous cars that will make driving safer and less tiring.

In 2004 U.S. military research agency DARPA challenged automotive engineers to try to build a self-driving car. Though the course had only simple obstacles and no other traffic, none of the vehicles reached the end.

2004年，美国军事研究机构美国国防部高级研究计划局（DARPA）为汽车工程师们出了一道难题，那就是建造一辆无人驾驶汽车。虽然工程师们面临的只是简单的障碍而且没有其他交通工具,但没有一辆车能够抵达终点。

Twelve years later the technology has advanced so far that manufacturers are testing it on roads with real traffic, trying to make it absolutely safe for both passengers and pedestrians.

12年后的今天，无人驾驶汽车的技术已经有了显著飞跃，而且制造商们正在实际路况对无人驾驶车辆进行测试,试图让乘客和行人感到绝对的安全。

“I figured if I was able to make a car that was smart enough to drive itself, I could probably make a car that was smart enough to be a bit safer. So from my perspective, safety has always been our priority," said Ford's James McBride.

“我想如果能够制造一辆能够自主驾驶智能汽车的话,我会让这辆车智能到给驾驶者提供安全保障。因此从我的角度来看,安全问题始终是首要任务。”

Google admits that its experimental self-driving cars have had some close calls, but points out that in late 2014 incidents happened once every 1,300 kilometers, while last year they happened once every 8,500 kilometers.

谷歌承认其进行试验的自动驾驶汽车曾经险象环生,但指出2014年末的事故是行驶1300公里才发生,而去年则是8500公里后。

And it's not just about the safety, manufacturers also have to make sure consumers are willing to let go of the wheel.

不仅关乎安全,制造商们也必须确保消费者愿意放开方向盘。

“We don't want to go too far too fast because the customer may not be expecting that. There's a learning curve that has to take place," said Kia's Joseph Steffey.

“我们不想太过超前,因为可能这不是客户所期望的。人们需要经过一条认知曲线。”

One thing that can help customers get used to not being in control is the driving simulator. Wearing virtual reality goggles drivers can experience the sensation of being passive behind the steering wheel.

有一样东西可以帮助客户习惯脱离方向盘，那就是驾驶模拟器。戴上虚拟现实的护目镜后，司机们就可以体验在方向盘后被动驾驶的感觉了。

Some cars are already equipped with electronics stemming from the DARPA Grand Challenge, such as laser proximity sensors, video cameras, lane-change warning lights and other devices.

一些汽车已经配备了源于美国国防部高级研究计划局设计难题的电子产品,比如激光距离传感器、摄像机、前馈警告灯及其他设备。

Researchers say future cars will also be able to communicate with the world around them, such as pedestrians’ smart phones.

研究人员表示未来的汽车还可以同行人的智能手机等周遭环境进行沟通。

“We can see where that pedestrian is walking, and then we can actually pick them up if they walk out in front of the car, and the car will choose to stop," said Steffey.

“我们可以看到行人正在穿行,如果他们走到车前我们就会让他们上车,汽车会选择停下。”

Experts say that safe and affordable self-driving cars should be available to the average consumer within four to five years.

专家表示未来4至5年内每个人都会拥有一辆安全及可负担得起的自动驾驶汽车。