The American robotics company Boston Dynamics recently made public a new robot called Stretch. It is designed to do only one job: to move containers, or boxes, in large storage buildings called warehouses (仓库).
Michael Perry is vice president of business development for Boston Dynamics. He said Stretch is the first robot designed for one job that the company has built. He added that the robot was developed because of requests from companies around the world.
“We heard pretty much universally across warehousing that truck unloading is one of the most physically difficult and unpleasant jobs. And that's where Stretch comes into play,” Perry told Reuters.
Stretch has a small base that allows it to move around small spaces in existing warehouses without having to redesign them. The robot also has an arm with highly developed cameras that can identify (确定) and deal with boxes of many shapes and sizes.
Perry said Stretch can pick up boxes that weigh about 23 kilograms. He added that the robot can move about 800 boxes in one hour. Boston Dynamics is known for YouTube videos of its dog-like “Spot” and humanoid “Atlas” robots. Perry said now is a good time for its latest robot to benefit from increasing demand for speedy home delivery (运送).
Experts say the warehousing industry experienced strong growth in 2020. That growth is expected to continue this year. They say online buying during the COVID-19 health crisis drove the need for a huge expansion (扩大) in delivery services.
Boston Dynamics has not decided on a price for Stretch. But the company said the system can be set up without costly redesigns or investments in new buildings or structures.
1. What makes Stretch move easily through small places?| A．Its short arm. | B．Its small base. |
| C．Its highly developed cameras. | D．Its ability to identify boxes. |
| A．They have the same shape. | B．They are all famous online. |
| C．They are of the same weight. | D．They come from the same company. |
| A．The new robot is increasingly needed. |
| B．Users worry about the price of robots. |
| C．Robots have replaced people in carrying heavy goods. |
| D．COVID-19 has changed the way of shopping completely. |
| A．Online Shopping Makes Workers Suffer Greatly. | B．Inventions Should Meet Market Needs. |
| C．New Technology Changes Business Models. | D．A New Robot Aims to Do the Heavy Lifting. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】It’s raining microchips. One day, they could float gently through the air while gathering environmental data, land on the ground and then disappear when their work is done. That’s the future a team of engineers see for what they’re calling “microflier”, a tiny winged microchip with designs inspired by nature.
The accomplishment belongs to a team of scientists at the Northwestern University in Illinois, who developed the microflier, a flying microchip that spins like a helicopter. It is the size of a grain of sand but with small wings and an aerodynamic design that allows it to fall in a controlled manner thanks to its barely visible propellers. The engineers used nature’s “manual” to get their inspiration for the microflier, analyzing the behavior of various types of wind-spread seeds.
How does that work? Instead of using a motor or engine, the tiny flying microchip uses the power of the wind to catch a flight, spinning through the ground at low speed. It is a stable flight, and the microflier can stay in the air for a long time, which is why it could prove to be useful for a variety of applications.
While nature has designed seeds with very sophisticated aerodynamics, the Northwestern team claims its microflier is better, as it is even smaller and its structure allows it to fall with more stable paths and at slower speeds than equivalent seeds from plants or trees.
The engineers built the flying structure to be used for purposes such as population monitoring, pollution monitoring, disease tracking and so on. And while this might look like a simple, limited device right now, researchers see its potential for becoming a highly functional electronic device. The microflier can be equipped with really sophisticated technology, such as tiny sensors, antennas for wireless communication, or embedded memory for data storage.
1. What gave scientists the inspiration for the microflier?| A．Helicopters. | B．Flying birds. | C．Falling seeds. | D．Raindrops. |
| A．electricity | B．wind power | C．an engine | D．solar energy |
| A．It produces less noise. | B．It carries more weight. |
| C．It can fly in any direction. | D．It can stay longer in the air. |
| A．working principle | B．development process |
| C．potential applications | D．accomplished tasks |
【推荐2】Now, a new study has uncovered a simple physical rule that governs ant rafts (蚂蚁筏): shrink and expand. The discovery could one day lead to the design of robots that work in groups.
Individually, ants are not as smart as people think, but collectively, they can form very smart and flexible organizations. For example, after storms in the southeastern United States, fire ants form giant floating rafts to survive rough waters.
Researchers used mathematical models to work out the mechanics behind these floating rafts. They found that the faster the ants on a raft moved, the more the raft expanded outwards, often forming long stretches. This behavior is automatic in nature and does not require any central decision making.
The researchers also conducted experiments to uncover the secrets of the ant raft. They put thousands of fire ants in a bucket of water with a plastic stick in the middle, and they waited.
What they eventually saw was that rafts started to form, and instead of these structures staying the same shape over time, they kept shrinking and expanding until they formed dense colonies. Sometimes the ants spread out like pancake batter (面糊) on a frying pan, and sometimes they shrank to form bridges. Each ant raft was made up of two layers. At the bottom, structural ants stuck together to form a base. Above them was a second layer of ants, which were free to walk on top of other ants. Over a period of time, ants climbed from the bottom to the top.
When they let the game play out, researchers found simulated (模拟的) ant rafts behaved like they were in the real world. The more the ants walked, the more likely they were to form long stretches stretching out from the raft, like people gathering for the exit in a crowded stadium.
Research on fire ants will hopefully help understand how simple rules can be written to instruct robot show to interact with others to achieve targeted group responses.
1. What plays an important role in the size of ant rafts?| A．The speed of ants. | B．The central decision. |
| C．The division of labor. | D．The number of ants. |
| A．Size | B．Function. | C．Shape. | D．Formation. |
| A．Education. | B．Society. | C．Technology. | D．Environment. |
【推荐3】Every morning my father buys a newspaper on his way to work. Every evening my mother looks through magazines at home. And every night, I look at the posters with photos of David Beckham and Yao Ming on my bedroom wall before I go to sleep. Can we imagine life without paper or print?
Paper was first created about 2,000 years ago, and has been made from silk, cotton, bamboo, and, since the 19th century, from wood. People learned to write words on paper to make a book. But in those days, books could only be produced one at a time by hand. As a result, they were expensive and rare. And because there weren’t many books, few people learned to read.
Then printing was invented in China. When printing was developed greatly at the beginning of the 11th century, books could be produced more quickly and cheaply. As a result, more people learned to read. After that, knowledge and ideas spread quickly.
Today information can be received online, downloaded from the Internet rather than found in books, and information can be kept on CD-ROMs or machines such as MP3 players.
Computers are already used in classrooms, and newspapers and magazines can already be read online. So will books be replaced by computers one day? No, I don’t think the Yao Ming poster on my bedroom wall will ever be replaced by a computer two metres high!
1. What does the writer do before he goes to sleep’?| A．He reads books. | B．He reads newspapers |
| C．He looks at the posters on the wall. | D．He looks through magazines |
| A．People didn’t want to buy books. | B．Printing was invented in China. |
| C．The Internet was introduced to people soon | D．Knowledge and ideas spread quickly. |
| A．Books won’t be replaced by computers. |
| B．People won’t need books any more |
| C．People prefer to find information in books. |
| D．Computers have already replaced books. |
【推荐1】Prashant Mandal shares a small hut with his wife and four kids, lives on less than $2 a day and recently suffered medical debts of more than $4,000 after his teenage son got sick last year. Yet, despite Mandal’s modest earnings, he spends 20 percent of his income on solar energy, an expense which is key to drawing in customers and helping his children to study. Across the globe, about 1.2 billion people live without electricity. Such limitations are not only inconvenient, but they put people in low-income countries at a greater risk of developing serious health condition. People living without electricity typically rely on kerosene lamps and other harmful light sources, which can lead to burns, injuries, poisoning and other risks .
Realizing the need for a more efficient energy source, a handful of for-profit companies have developed business models that enable under-served people to purchase solar energy, and, in turn, protect themselves and the environment in the process. Simpa Networks, which focuses its efforts on rural India, is such a company that has found a way to make solar energy affordable and accessible to people in need. Customers are charged a small down payment. Then, through its “progressive purchase” model, they pay in advance for a designated amount of energy consumption. A number of other companies have found ways to get solar energy into the hands and homes of people who typically can’t afford electricity. MPOWERD, a New York-based company, invented an inflatable solar light that is powered by the sun, and is also able to store that energy.
The Luci, which can provide light for up to about 12 hours, is marketed in the developed world as an efficient camping light. Those sales allow the company to keep its production costs down so that they’re actually affordable in low-income countries. “Energy poverty is discouraging but solvable if we all work together,” said John Salzinger, MPOWERD’s co-founder. “Every single consumer’s purchase helps us reduce costs, and then we pass those savings on to those who need affordable lights the most.”
1. Why does the text mention Prashant Mandal in Paragraph 1?| A．To tell us the situation of his family. | B．To state Prashant Mandal’s sufferings. |
| C．To show the convenience of solar energy. | D．To lead in the topic of the article. |
| A．Those who can produce solar energy. |
| B．Those who have access to enough electricity. |
| C．Those who live without sufficient electricity. |
| D．Those who are willing to use solar energy. |
| A．They can pay step by step. | B．They can pay after using it. |
| C．They must fully pay first. | D．They can buy it at a discount. |
| A．Concerned. | B．Optimistic | C．Discouraged | D．Neutral |
【推荐2】Modern life is evolving fast. Think about how much things have changed even in the last twenty years. This rate of change isn’t slowing down. If anything, it’s increasing. Technology is augmenting (提高) human life in all kinds of ways.
Electric Cars
The way that we approach motor vehicles has changed. Electric cars are the response to the pollution of gas vehicles. For a long time, electric vehicles were inaccessible. They were expensive and unattainable. Things have changed. Now electric automobiles are cheaper than ever. They are similarly priced as regular gas vehicles. Furthermore, car charging stations are more common. More are being installed on the streets and in parking lots. Soon electric cars will be as common as gas vehicles. It is changing our way of life by alleviating pollution.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR) is a part of technological advance that will continue to change the way we live for years to come. VR will change entertainment. With a headset, you don’t just watch a video. You are a part of it. You can experience things digitally. It provides immersion (沉浸) that is difficult to accomplish otherwise.
Augmented Reality
Beyond entertainment, augmented reality (AR) , when you use the organic environment with the technology, will facilitate medicine. Remote surgeries can be performed with AR on the 5G Internet. These technologies can also help terminal patients (whose illness cannot be cured and will lead to death) find a new state of mind. There is no shortage of the number of ways that AR will change the way we live.
Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) uses machine learning to recognize patterns, create algorithms and analyze data. AI can synthesize (综合) all the information available to it. AI can excel to the optimal point in effectiveness productivity. It is used for many different purposes. There is no end to how Al will improve human life. It isn’t just used to improve social media sites to show consumers advertisements for products they might want to buy. It can perform all kinds of tasks out of thin air.
1. According to the passage, what’s the advantage of electric cars?| A．More eco-friendly | B．Less expensive than others |
| C．Conveniently installed | D．commonly visible |
| A．The price of electric cars is similar to all other vehicles. |
| B．Achieving the effect of immersion is tough for VR. |
| C．AR can provide dying people with a new mindset. |
| D．Al has enhanced human life indefinitely. |
| A．productive | B．splendid | C．effective | D．diverse |
【推荐3】Have you ever shouted at your computer because it wasn’t working? Your computer couldn’t “yell” back – until now. AI researchers are now working on computers that can argue and perhaps even win debates with humans.
IBM scientists published a paper in Nature on March 17 about their new AI system – Project Debater. After listening to arguments from its opponent (对手), the system can search around 400 million online articles in less than five minutes. It looks for ideas that can support its own argument.
Testing on the system began in 2019 when it debated with Harish Natarajan, a professional debater who holds the world record for most debate competition victories. The debate topic was whether or not preschool should be funded, and the AI system argued in favor of this idea. Although the AI lost the debate in the end based on the audience vote, the audience said it did very well. Interestingly, 58 percent of the audience said that Project Debater increased their knowledge about the topic, while only 20 percent said the same about Natarajan. Also, Project Debater has shown strength at making impressive and logical opening statements in the debate, according to Scientific American.
Humans and technology have been battling for decades. In 1997, IBM’s Deep Blue became the first computer to defeat a reigning (卫冕的) chess champion, Garry Kasparov in a six-game match. So after two decades, have IBM’s researchers just reproduced a “Deep Blue” to debate? It’s much more than that, the researchers noted. Argument and debate are fundamental abilities of human intelligence, and it’s a step outside of AI’s comfort zone to enter this field, according to the article in Nature.
1. What is the function of the first paragraph?| A．To give background information. | B．To ask a question about computer. |
| C．To make a comparison. | D．To introduce the topic. |
| A．By collecting a lot of data in a short time. |
| B．By listening to researchers’ instructions. |
| C．By making use of its internal data. |
| D．By learning from humans. |
| A．Its statements were not logical enough. |
| B．Its opening statements were boring. |
| C．Its overall performance was better than Natarajan’s. |
| D．It made them more informed of the topic. |
| A．AI technology hasn’t progressed much for decades. |
| B．AI has advanced itself by stepping in debating. |
| C．Project Debater is much better than Deep Blue. |
| D．AI has lost the battle against humans in debating. |
【推荐1】In Africa, Christmas Day begins with groups of carolers (欢唱颂歌的人) walking to and from through the village, along the roadway, by the houses of the missionaries (传教士), singing the lovely carols known to the world around. Often people may be awakened by a group of carolers beginning to gather at the house of worship (敬神活动). They return home to make final preparations as to the clothes one must wear and also as to their offering for the Christmas service.
The most important part of their Christmas worship service is the love offering. This is the gift in honor of Jesus. At about 8 or 9 o'clock everyone goes to the celebration of the birthday of Jesus. Everyone who attends the service goes forward to lay down their gift upon the raised platform near the Communion table. No one will attend the service without giving a gift.
Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. There is no snow, but it has many flowers, many beautiful varieties of wild flowers being in their full pride.
In Ghana, most churches show the coming of Christmas by decorating the church and homes beginning with the first week in Advent, four weeks before Christmas. This season happens to be the time of cocoa harvest, so it is a time of wealth. Everyone returns home from wherever they might be such as farms or mines.
In Africa, it is the traditional dinner of turkey, roast beef, mince pies, or suckling pig, yellow rice with raisins, vegetables, and plum pudding, crackers. In the afternoon, families go out into the country and usually there are games or bathing in the warm sunshine, and then home in the cool of the evening. Boxing Day is also a proclaimed (正式宣布的) public holiday usually spent in the open air. It falls on December 26 and is a day of real relaxation.
1. The purpose of this text is to ______.| A．persuade us to have a holiday in Africa |
| B．describe some important holidays in Africa |
| C．tell us how people celebrate Christmas in Africa |
| D．introduce to us when Christmas came into being |
| A．the church and homes are being decorated | B．there are flowers all over the country |
| C．everyone returns home to harvest cocoa | D．it is snowing heavily everywhere |
| A．One must sing a carol on the platform. | B．One must appear in fantastic clothes. |
| C．Food is shared among carolers. | D．Everyone carries a gift to the scene. |
【推荐2】Visiting Alaska’s distant Adak Island
Halfway between the United States and Japan is Alaska’s Adak Island. It is a place known for its natural beauty. The coast is home to rich wildlife. People visit Adak to hunt, watch birds, or climb mountains.
At Horseshoe Bay, brave people can climb down a rope to the coast below and nearby hot springs. At Clam Lagoon you can watch sea otters, harbour seals and sea lions playing in the water and warming themselves on the rocks.
Locals
In town, fewer than 100 people live full-time in old military houses. These houses sit in mostly empty neighborhoods with other buildings in need of repair. So why do people stay? Some love the quiet. Others say they feel safe from the coronavirus (冠状病毒). Some get extra pay for remote work.
People who work there often do many different jobs. One man who serves drinks at a bar also works at the airport.
Supplies are limited
Adak locals learn to live with very limited supplies. The only food store is in the old day care centre. It is open just a few hours on some evenings. A drink store that was once a gas station sells a case of beer for $50. In most states, a case of beer is only $20.
Food choices are limited. Restaurants and stores are often closed. One restaurant in Adak does not open often, but when it does, it serves a large pizza for $28. It was surprisingly tasty considering how far the tomat o sauce and cheese had to travel.
Charge:
7 days $1,432/per person (accommodation and air tickets included)
For more information:
Call 01223 810080
Visit https://www.vacationsbyrail.com/united-states/alaska-adak-island
1. Which place can offer visitors the view of wild sea animals?| A．Finger Bay. | B．Clam Lagoon. |
| C．Horseshoe Bay. | D．Lake Bonnie Rose. |
| A．Doing various jobs. | B．Avoiding city noises. |
| C．Earning more money. | D．Feeling safe from the coronavirus. |
| A．$20. | B．$28. | C．$50. | D．$60. |
【推荐3】For as long as humans have been monitoring the ocean, the only way we’ve known about stranded (搁浅的) whales was to come across them ourselves. But knowing about stranded whales — including where and when they strand — is important.
Largely due to human causes such as ship strikes and pollution, whale strandings are on the rise. Their occurrence can often signal that something is wrong before larger ecosystem problems arise. Yet the ground-based networks used to monitor stranded whales are just available for wealthy countries.
A new study conducted by Penny Clarke, a graduate student with the British Antarctic Survey, shows that very high resolution (VHR) satellite imagery makes it possible to spot stranded whales in remote areas where it may otherwise take weeks to find them. By that point, animals are often long decomposed (腐烂的), making it too late to figure out what caused the stranding or take action to fix it.
The first satellite with VHR sensors was launched in 1999. With the number of them now slowly climbing, Clarke’s team sees this sort of imagery as a tool that allows less-wealthy countries to monitor a vast area with just a few people.
However, the satellite approach does have some limitations. As Clarke found, images may not be available for the date range researchers want; there are currently only 27 VHR satellites circling Earth. Moreover, satellites only take photos when given orders to open their lenses. Tasking a satellite is expensive, and even accessing archived (存档的) images can come with a big price tag.
Additionally, identifying whales requires manually (人工地) scanning for the right shapes, frame (帧) by frame. In 2019, a team led by Clarke’s co-author, Peter Fretwell, tried to automate this process. They found that because dead whales change so drastically as they decompose, their way wasn’t very accurate. It often confused whales with features like rocks or washed-up trees.
Next up, Clarke hopes to test the effectiveness of satellite monitoring by working on the ground with experts during stranding events so that she can see for herself what satellite imagery misses. “We don’t know enough about some of these challenges weepers going to be coming up against,“ she says. Yet the potential for this technology excites her immensely. “It’s quite literally out of this world.”
1. What is the significance of discovering whale strandings in time?| A．To help control the whale population. | B．To guard against bigger ecosystem risks. |
| C．To send the stranded whales to the ocean. | D．To reduce dead whales’ influence on ecosystems. |
| A．It can only be operated at a high cost. | B．It is expected to perform various tasks. |
| C．It poses challenges to wealthy countries. | D．Less-wealthy countries can hardly afford it |
| A．To find a better way to examine dead whales in detail. |
| B．To call on local people to help recognize dead whales. |
| C．To make the process of recognizing dead whales more efficient. |
| D．To record the changes in dead whales with advanced technology. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Worried | C．Cautious. | D．Hopeful. |
