We're still years away from a Tesla that can deliver you safely to work whilst you doze serenely in the driver's seat, but both the Model S and Model X took a big step in that direction today. Tesla released Version 7.0 of the software that powers its vehicles, and it comes with a new trick: Autopilot.
虽然特斯拉还不能满足一边开车上班一边打瞌睡的愿望,但是如今特斯拉的两款车型,S和X系列已经朝这个方向发展了一大步。近日,特斯拉更新了7.0软件版本,可以支持一项新技能:自动驾驶。
The software update will roll out gradually over the next five days, automatically applying itself to all Model X SUVs and all Model S sedans produced since October 2014. Software updates, while largely a curiosity among the auto industry, have become commonplace for Tesla owners. Still, this is the biggest update by far and it delivers a handful of Autopilot features.
该软件在五天之后即可升级。在2014年10月后生产的X系列SUV和S系列的轿车都可以自动适配该软件。对于其他汽车公司来说,软件升级是个新鲜玩意儿。但是对特斯拉来说,这已经是老生常谈。但此次融入无人驾驶技术可谓是一个前所未有的革新。
The main feature, Autosteer, is basically an advanced lane departure assist system. The car will automatically stay in a lane, slowing down as necessary to avoid traffic and steering around curves.The vehicle can even change lanes, though only when prompted by the driver hitting the turn signal and when the car detects the way is clear.
自动驾驶是一项先进的辅助系统。安装该软件后,汽车会自动在车道上行使,在必要情况下进行减速以避免交通堵塞,也可以自动转方向。当司机按下转弯灯并且汽车检测道路安全的情况下,汽车也可以自动并线。
Autosteer did an admirable job avoiding traffic on busy city streets, even giving room for a Honda that was very keen on merging ahead of us. However, it won't detect things like yield signs and does not read traffic lights. On the highway where traffic moves more predictably (and where we hope to test one soon), you'll surely be able to relax a little more.
自动驾驶也可以避免交通拥堵路段,甚至还能与前方的本田汽车保持车距。然而。自动驾驶无法识别路标和红绿灯。你只能在可预测路况的高速公路上可以休息一会(我们很快将会对其进行测试)。
The Palo Alto, California, automaker said drivers must keep their hands on the wheel, but in our limited testing the car was actually quite lenient. For example, the driving assistant system in the BMW 7 Series allows you to take your hands off the wheel for 15 seconds before it starts beeping obnoxiously. Tesla's system seemingly lets you go hands-off for as long as you want. It will eventually start beeping, but there's an option to turn off the chime.
加利福尼亚州大众汽车认为,司机必须将手放在方向盘上。但是对我们的汽车来说,这并不是必要条件。例如,宝马7系的行车辅助系统只能让司机双手离开方向盘15秒钟。超过15秒钟后,汽车将会响起恼人的哔哔声。然而,特斯拉的系统可以让你想离开多久就离开多久。虽然也会进行报警,但是可以手动关闭。
Tesla isn't the only company taking steps toward autonomous cars. Toyota, Nissan, General Motors and Google all plan to have self-driving vehicles on the road by 2020. Even iPhone maker Apple is reportedly working on an electronic, partially-self-driving vehicle. Supporters of autonomous vehicles say they will significantly improve safety on roadways.
研究无人驾驶技术的公司绝非特斯拉一家。在2020年之前,丰田、尼桑、大众汽车和谷歌都计划研发自动驾驶汽车。即便是iPhone的制造商苹果公司也开始研究电子半自动化汽车。支持者们认为此举将会提高道路安全性。
Ultimately, Tesla's system is very nicely composed. Autosteer can smoothly and cleanly handle traffic and is able to come to a complete stop and resume speed without any driver intervention. It takes a huge amount of stress and pressure out of driving in traffic. Again, you should always be paying attention, because the system will throw control back to the driver when it needs to.
总的来说,特斯拉自动驾驶系统是非常可靠的。它可以稳定、完美地解决路上的交通问题。在没有司机参与的情况下,完成停车、加速。该技术可以很大程度上减轻路上开车压力。不过,你也要小心,系统可能会反过来控制司机。
Updated Model S and X vehicles will also be able to slot themselves into parallel parking spots. Drivers need only cruise slowly past an open spot and then enable Autopark, at which point the car will handle all the hard work. You can keep your hands off the wheel and feet of the pedals.
升级版的S和X系列汽车也可以自动停在停车位。司机只需要将车慢慢驶过空的停车位,之后开启自动停车模式。车辆会自己完成复杂的停车程序,司机无需手握方向盘,脚踩刹车。
Tesla owners should keep an eye out for a pop-up on their car's touchscreen display prompting them to update. Just make sure you aren't going anywhere for awhile before you apply it. The software update could take upwards of two hours to download.
特斯拉车主可以留意汽车触屏上的升级标识。不过,要确保在升级期间不要开车出门。软件的升级下载需要两个小时左右