The long, white robot weighs more than 450 kilograms. Like other robots, it is equipped with cameras and mechanical arms to automatically perform many different jobs.
Angus is a major part of operations at Alexander’s indoor robot farm about 40 kilometers south of San Francisco. The 743-square-meter farm uses a hydroponic system that grows plants without soil. The plants grow inside equipment that provides a continuous flow of water. The indoor farm uses electrical light instead of sunlight.
This kind of farm uses much less water and does not require human labor to run. The main job for Angus is to transfer thousands of plants around the farm, from small containers to larger ones as they grow. Angus also carries plants to another robot that does not have a name yet. Angus moves slowly to complete its work. But the robot is very strong and can lift about 300 kilograms.
For now, the farm uses humans to collect vegetables and other crops when they are ready. But Alexander says he is working on a robot that will eventually take over that job too.
Alexander helped start the company Iron Ox after leaving Google, where he worked on robotics at the company’s Google X project. He teamed up with another former Google employee, Jon Binney. Together they founded Iron Ox.
Iron Ox’s website says the hydroponic growing system uses 90 percent less water. It also says the growing method is up to 30 times more productive than growing crops on land.
Alexander says growing food robotically throughout the year in major cities will provide more consistent(一致的) and fresh products. Most of the vegetables sold in the U.S. are grown in California, Arizona, Mexico and other nations. That means many people in the U.S. cities are eating vegetables that are nearly a week old by the time they arrive at stores.
Indoor farms operate all year round and are not generally affected by bad weather. This will permit the company to provide a steady flow of goods without major price changes.
26. What does a “hydroponic system” provide to the plants?
A.Sunlight. | B.Fertilizer. | C.Water. | D.Soil. |
27. How does Angus work in the farm?
A.It provides water for the plants. |
B.It directs other robots to work. |
C.It works on collecting vegetables. |
D.It is in charge of moving plants. |
28. What do we know about Alexander?
A.He started to work on robotics after leaving Google. |
B.He started a company with Binney. |
C.He works on collecting crops. |
D.He started Iron Ox by himself. |
29. What’s the advantage of Alexander’s farm?
A.The vegetables from his farm sell at a higher price. |
B.The vegetables from his farm are more nutritious. |
C.It uses electrical light instead of sunlight. |
D.It uses less water but produces more. |
30. Which of the following can be a suitable title of the test?
A.Robot Farm, the Future of the Agriculture |
B.Robot Farm, Aiming to Bring Fresher Food to the U.S. Cities |
C.Alexander, an Extraordinary Scientist on Robotics |
D.Hydroponic System, the New Way of Farming |