Human-like robot can be used to do work that is dangerous for human beings-英语听力

[00:00.10]From VOA Learning English, [00:02.50]this is the Technology Report. [00:06.53]Researches at Johns Hopkins University's [00:09.76]Applied Physics Laboratory [APL] in Laurel, Maryland [00:13.59]have designed a new humanoid or human-like robot. [00:17.87]Its name is Robo Sally. [00:20.61]The machine can be controlled from a distance [00:23.75]and can be used to do work [00:25.94]that is dangerous for human beings. [00:29.18]Robo Sally has two long arms with human-like hands. [00:34.16]She can use her fingers to pick up small objects, [00:38.93]examine them in detail [00:41.52]and do most things that human hands can do. [00:45.70]Each finger contains a tiny motor, capable of [00:51.68]squeezing 20 pounds of pinch force [00:55.23]enough to defuse a bomb under the direction of an operator. [01:01.11]She sits on a metal base with wheels [01:04.24]that let her move around, [01:06.49]turn in tight spaces and climb over small objects. [01:12.27]Mike McLoughlin is the main investigator [01:16.40]for the Applied Physics Laboratory's Prosthetics Program. [01:21.28]"The purpose of that program is to develop prosthetic arms [01:25.02]that have all the capability of your natural arms, [01:27.55]and you do all the complex motions [01:30.09]that we can do with the natural arm - with the robot. [01:33.32]So we had this idea if we did this for prosthetics for humans, [01:37.41]we could also put these on robotic platforms [01:40.05]and enable the robots to go out into dangerous situations." [01:44.63]It was a difficult job. [01:47.27]Mr McLoughlin says the device had to have many small motors [01:53.60]to have the ability to do what a human hand does. [01:58.38]It also need to have human-like strength. [02:03.01]The thumb was especially difficult [02:06.14]because it permits the hand to hold objects. [02:10.67]And everything had to fit into a space [02:14.80]about the size of a human hand. [02:18.49]The next problem, he says, [02:21.23]was to figure out how to control the artificial hand. [02:26.75]"So we had to figure out how to make the connection [02:29.55]between the brain and this arm. [02:31.54]We've done that for spinal injury patients, [02:35.26]where we can actually interface with the brain [02:37.92]and use the patient's thoughts to control the arm." [02:40.51]For search-and-rescue duties, [02:43.09]Robo Sally will be operated by a human being [02:47.53]using a wireless machine that is far from the robot. [02:53.25]The operator will also wear special gloves and glasses. [02:58.79]The glasses were permitted the operator [03:01.67]to see the robot's hands, even though they are far away. [03:07.25]Mr McLoughlin says this kind of robots could be used [03:12.72]in what he calls "dull, dirty or dangerous" situations [03:18.21]where fine human finger movements are required. [03:22.29]"Opening a door, or turning the valve of, you know, [03:25.82]a factory or a power plant like Fukushima, [03:28.38]that was all designed for humans. [03:29.99]You need to be able to go in [03:32.48]and have the human-like capabilities [03:34.57]in order to be able to work in that environment." [03:37.85]Mr McLoughlin says the technology [03:40.30]is not ready for everyday application, [03:43.98]but he predicts that within five years [03:47.57]we will see some wonderful improvements. [03:51.70]And that's the Technology Report from VOA Learning English.