As the relentlesspace of technology continues to advance, companies must adapt or get left behind. One of the key areas of contention these days is the driverless car. Autonomous cars have long been featured in science fiction movies and books, but in recent years they have moved from a pipe dream to a reality.
The development of the autonomous car actually started in the 1920s, but it wasn't until the 1980s that the first prototypes were successfully created, one of which was designed by Mercedes-Benz.
Since then the technology has gone from strength to strength and these days many companies are jumping on the bandwagon. Uber is the latest to announce its plan to unrolla fleet of driverless cars. It follows Apple and Ford, who have announced similar plans, and Google and Tesla, who already have autonomous cars on the road.
Two questions arise: Do we really need them? And are they really safe? Advocates of driverless cars would argue 'yes' to
both. Vehicularautonomy, if perfected, could lead to much safer road conditions for all, lower insurance costs and
enhance mobility for the elderly, the sick and those with disabilities. They would also allow roads to increase their capacity between 200 – 400%.
Perfection, though, seems to be just out of reach at the moment. To date Google's self-driving car, launched in 2012, has had 14 minor accidents. Even worse, Tesla's Autopilot has caused one fatality in 2015, where the vehicle simply did not see the obstacle.
While the technology exists, driverless cars and full vehicular autonomy is still embryonic. That said, you can rest assured that further development in the field is inevitable. And what’s the future? Well, George Marcus, co-founder of Geometric Intelligence – Uber's autonomous development department – imagines a world of flying cars taking us to work. He says "They're going to allow people to take long commutes at 75 or 150 mph where you'd otherwise get stuck in traffic. It's really, in a not-too-distant future, going to be something that is practical." Wouldn't that be fine?
Which two car companies already have driverless cars on the road?
2. True or False: Mercedes-Benz created the first driverless car prototype.
3. What advantages will driverless cars bring to society?
4. Are driverless cars 100% safe?
5. Which expression in the text means not maintain progress with?
2. 请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。
I'll never make enough money to go to the moon. It's just a ______.
prototype fleet bandwagon pipe dream
2. I can't get around like I used to. I just don't have the ______ anymore.
autonomy mobility contention fatality
3. The tiger was ______ in its pursuit of the deer. It followed it over miles of country.
pace inevitable relentless embryonic
4. It is believed that there has been at least one _________ in last night's train crash.
fatality out of reach adapt advocate
5. I am a feminist so of course I'm an ______ of equal pay for women!
contention mobility autonomy advocate
答案
1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
Which two car companies already have driverless cars on the road?
Google and Tesla, who already have autonomous cars on the road.
2. True or False: Mercedes-Benz created the first driverless car prototype.
False. ONE was designed by Mercedes-Benz.
3. What advantages will driverless cars bring to society?
Much safer road conditions for all, lower insurance costs and enhance mobility for the elderly, the sick and those with disabilities. They would also allow roads to increase their capacity between 200 – 400%.
4. Are driverless cars 100% safe?
No. Google's self-driving car, launched in 2012, has had 14 minor accidents. Tesla's Autopilot has caused one fatality in 2015.
5. Which expression in the text means not maintain progress with?
'Get left behind'.
2. 请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。
I'll never make enough money to go to the moon. It's just a pipe dream.
2. I can't get around like I used to. I just don't have the mobility anymore.
3. The tiger was relentless in its pursuit of the deer. It followed it over miles of country.
4. It is believed that there has been at least one fatality in last night's train crash.
5. I am a feminist so of course I'm an advocate of equal pay for women!