(三)
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory(APL) in Howard County, Maryland have designed a new humanlike robot. Its name is Roho Sally. The machine can be controlled from a distance and can be used to do work that is dangerous for human beings.
Roho Sally has two long arms with humanlike hands. She can use her fingers to pick up small objects, examine them in detail and do most things that human hands can do. Each finger contains a tiny motor, capable of squeezing 20 pounds of pinch force, enough to defuse a bomb under the direction of an operator. She sits on a metal base with wheels that let her move around, turn in tight spaces and climb over small objects.
Mike McLoughlin is the main investigator for the Applied Physics Laboratory's Prosthetics Programme.“The purpose of that programme is to develop prosthetic arms that have all the capability of your natural arms, and you do all the complex motions that you can do with the natural arms—with the robot.”
It was a difficult job. Mr McLoughlin says the device had to have many small motors to have the ability to do what a human hand does. It also needed to have humanlike strength. The thumb was especially difficult because it permits the hand to hold objects. And everything had to fit into a space about the size of a human hand.
The next problem, he says, was to figure out how to control the artificial hand.“So we had to figure out how to make the connection between the brain and this arm.”
For searchandrescue duties, Roho Sally will be operated by a human being using a wireless machine that is far from the robot. The operator will also wear special gloves and glasses. The glasses permit the operator to see the robot's hands, even though they are far away.
Mr McLoughlin says this kind of robots could be used in what he calls “dull, dirty or dangerous” situations where fine human finger movements are required. He says the technology is not ready for everyday application, but he predicts that within five years we will see some wonderful improvements.
9.The underlined word “defuse” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to “________”.
A.remove B.discover
C.equip D.produce
10.According to Paragraph 2, which picture is Roho Sally?
A. B. C. D.
11.What can we learn about the prosthetic arms according to the passage?
A.They are expected to function as well as natural ones.
B.They have many large motors controlled by robots.
C.They have humanlike strength to control the robot.
D.They are connected with human brains.
12.Which of the following is TRUE about Robo Sally according to Mr McLoughlin?
A.Its operator doesn't need any equipment.
B.It has been widely used in everyday life in the USA.
C.It can work in situations which are dangerous for humans.
D.It has made much money for the designers.
