Interactive transcript · 163 lines
Hello and welcome to TalkCast, the show where we dive deep into the latest trends in technology,
欢迎收听 TalkCast，在这个节目中，我们将深入探讨技术领域的最新趋势，
society, and science, and make them easy to understand.
社会和科学，并让它们变得通俗易懂。
I am your host, Laura.
我是你的主持人劳拉。
Today, we are turning our eyes, or should I say our cameras, to the deep blue sea.
今天，我们要将视线，或者说是我们的摄像机，转向深蓝的大海。
Recently, there has been a massive news headline in the tech world.
最近，科技界出现了一个重大的新闻头条。
Chinese -made underwater robots are experiencing an absolute boom in global orders.
中国制造的水下机器人全球订单正经历绝对的激增。
Exports have jumped by a staggering 60%, with some companies making over 90 % of their revenue from
出口量惊人地增长了 60%，部分企业的收入有超过 90% 来自于
overseas markets.
海外市场。
These little metallic explorers are being shipped all over the world.
这些小巧的金属探险者正运往世界各地。
But what exactly do these underwater robots do?
但是这些水下机器人究竟是做什么的呢？
How do they survive the crushing pressure of the deep ocean?
它们是如何在深海毁灭性的压力下生存下来的？
And how do they communicate when there is no Wi -Fi or GPS underwater?
在水下没有 Wi-Fi 或 GPS 的情况下，它们又是如何通信的呢？
Joining us today to unpack all of this is Dr.
今天加入我们来解读这一切的是
Charles, a senior marine robotics engineer and ocean technology specialist.
查尔斯博士，一位资深海洋机器人工程专家和海洋技术专家。
Charles, it is an absolute pleasure to have you on TalkCast.
查尔斯，非常荣幸能请你来到 TalkCast。
Thank you, Laura.
感谢你，劳拉。
It is wonderful to be here.
来到这里真是太棒了。
I am always excited to talk about marine robots.
谈论海洋机器人我总是感到很兴奋。
It is a field that is rapidly moving from the pages of science fiction right into our daily lives
这是一个正在迅速从科幻小说走进我们日常生活
and global industries.
和全球工业的领域。
It really is.
确实如此。
Let us start with the basics for our listeners who might be new to this.
让我们先从最基础的内容开始，照顾一下可能刚接触这个领域的听众。
When we say underwater robots, what are we actually talking about?
当我们说水下机器人时，我们实际上指的是什么？
Are they like the drones we see flying in the parks, but just underwater?
它们就像我们在公园里看到的无人机一样，只是在水下飞行吗？
That is actually a very good analogy, Laura.
这其实是一个非常好的类比，劳拉。
In the industry, we generally divide them into two main categories.
在行业内，我们通常将它们分为两大类别。
The first is ROV, which stands for Remotely Operated Vehicle.
第一种是 ROV，代表遥控水下航行器。
Think of an ROV as a drone on a leash.
可以将 ROV 想象成栓了绳索的无人机。
It is connected to a ship on the surface by a long cable.
它通过一根长电缆与水面上的船只相连。
This cable, or tether, sends power down to the robot and sends high -definition video back up to the
这根电缆，也就是缆绳，将电力向下传输给机器人，并将高清晰度的视频信号传回给
human pilot.
人类驾驶员。
The second type is AUV, or Autonomous Underwater Vehicle.
第二种类型是 AUV，即自主水下航行器。
These are more like independent underwater explorers.
它们更像独立的水下探险家。
They do not have a cable.
它们没有电缆。
Instead, they carry their own batteries and follow pre -programmed paths to collect data all by themselves.
相反，它们自带电池，并按照预先编程的路线自行收集数据。
So you can think of it as a leashed puppy versus an independent explorer.
所以你可以把它想象成栓着绳子的小狗对比独立的探险家。
A leashed puppy versus an independent explorer.
栓着绳子的小狗对比独立的探险家。
I love that picture.
我喜欢这个画面。
Now, operating a robot in the air is one thing, but water is a completely different beast.
现在，在空中操作机器人是一回事，但在水中完全是另一码事。
The first major challenge that comes to mind is water pressure.
首先想到的重大挑战就是水压力。
We all know that if you dive too deep, the pressure can be dangerous.
我们都知道，如果潜得太深，压力会很危险。
How do these robots survive without getting crushed like an empty soda can?
这些机器人是如何在不被像空易拉罐那样压碎的情况下幸存下来的？
You hit the nail on the head, Laura.
你说到点上了，劳拉。
Water pressure, or what we call hydrostatic pressure, is incredibly powerful.
水压，或者我们称之为静水压力，是极其强大的。
For every 10 meters you go down, the pressure increases by about one atmosphere, which is the
你每下潜 10 米，压力就会增加大约一个大气压，这就是
pressure we feel at sea level.
我们在海平面感受到的压力。
If you go down a few hundred meters, the pressure is like having an elephant standing on your thumb.
如果你下潜几百米，这种压力就像有一头大象踩在你的大拇指上。
To survive this, engineers use two main secrets.
为了解决这个问题，工程师们使用了两个主要秘诀。
First is materials.
首先是材料。
We use high -strength materials like titanium, carbon fiber, or special aircraft -grade aluminum.
我们使用高强度材料，比如钛、碳纤维或特种航空级铝材。
Second is a technique called oil filling.
第二种是被称为充油的技术。
Instead of leaving empty air pockets inside the robot, we fill the delicate electronic compartments
我们不是在机器人内部留下空的气穴，而是将精密的电子舱
with a special non -conductive oil.
装满一种特殊的非导电油。
Because liquids cannot be easily compressed, the oil inside pushes back against the water outside
因为液体不易被压缩，所以内部的油会反推外面的水
with equal force, preventing the robot from collapsing.
以相等的力，防止机器人坍塌。
It is a brilliant way to balance the pressure.
这是一个平衡压力的绝妙方法。
Wow, oil filling.
哇，油填充。
That is fascinating.
那太令人着迷了。
So the liquid inside acts as a shield against the liquid outside.
所以内部的液体起到了阻挡外部液体的屏障作用。
Now, what about waterproofing?
那么， 防水怎么办呢？
Water and electronics famously do not get along.
众所周知，水和电子产品是合不来的。
How do you keep the water out of the motor and cameras?
你如何让水不进入电机和摄像机？
It is a constant battle, Laura.
劳拉，这是一场持续的战斗。
We use multiple layers of defense.
我们使用多层防御。
The most common are dynamic seals and O -rings, which are specially designed rubber rings that block
最常见的是动态密封件和O型圈，它们是专门设计的橡胶圈，可以阻挡
water at the joints where parts move.
部件移动的连接处的水。
For the motors, we often use magnetic coupling.
对于电机，我们经常使用磁性耦合。
This means the motor inside spins a magnet, which then spins another magnet outside the waterproof
这意味着内部的电机旋转一个磁铁，然后旋转防水罩外部的另一个磁铁
shell to turn the propeller.
外壳以转动螺旋桨。
There is no physical shaft passing through the wall, which means zero chance of water leaking
没有物理轴穿过壁面，这意味着水泄漏的几率为零
through that connection.
通过那个连接处。
It is incredibly reliable.
它是令人难以置信地可靠。
That is so clever.
那太巧妙了。
Using magnets to spin the propeller through a solid wall.
利用磁铁穿过固体墙壁来旋转螺旋桨。
Now, let us talk about another massive challenge, communication and navigation.
现在，让我们谈谈另一个巨大的挑战，通信和导航。
When I go hiking, I use GPS on my phone.
当我去徒步旅行时，我用手机上的GPS。
But GPS signals are radio waves, and radio waves do not travel well through water at all, right?
但GPS信号是无线电波，而无线电波根本无法在水中很好地传播，对吧？
How do these robots find their way around in the pitch black ocean?
这些机器人是如何在漆黑的海洋中找到方向的？
You are absolutely right.
你完全正确。
Radio waves, including GPS and Wi -Fi, are absorbed by water within just a few centimeters.
无线电波，包括GPS和Wi-Fi，在几厘米内就会被水吸收。
So once a robot submerges, it is completely blind to GPS.
所以一旦机器人潜入水中，它对GPS就完全失明了。
Instead of light or radio waves, we use sound.
我们不使用光或无线电波，而是使用声音。
Sound travels incredibly well and very fast in water, about five times faster than it does in the air.
声音在水中的传播速度非常快，效果也令人难以置信地好，比在空气中快大约五倍。
We use acoustic communication and sonar.
我们使用声学通信和声呐。
For navigation, we use a device called a Doppler Velocity Log, or DVL, combined with an Inertial
在导航方面，我们使用一种称为多普勒测速仪（DVL）的设备，并结合惯性
Navigation System, or INS.
导航系统，简称INS。
The DVL sends sound waves to the seafloor and listens to the echo to calculate how fast the robot is moving.
DVL向海底发送声波，并通过听回声来计算机器人的移动速度。
The INS uses gyroscopes to keep track of every turn and tilt.
INS使用陀螺仪来记录每一次转弯和倾斜。
By combining these two, the robot can calculate its position very accurately, even without GPS.
通过将这两者结合起来，即使没有GPS，机器人也能非常准确地计算出自己的位置。
So instead of seeing, they are basically listening to their environment, much like bats do with echolocation.
所以，它们基本上不是在看 ，而是在倾听周围的环境，就像蝙蝠利用回声定位一样。
That is beautiful.
那太美妙了。
Now, Charles, let us talk about this global boom.
现在，查尔斯，让我们谈谈这场全球繁荣。
Why are we seeing such a massive spike in orders for these underwater robots right now?
为什么我们现在看到这些水下机器人的订单出现如此巨大的激增？
Who is buying them, and what are they using them for?
谁在购买它们，它们被用来做什么？
The market has exploded because these robots have become much more affordable, reliable, and easy to use.
市场之所以爆发，是因为这些机器人已经变得更加便宜、可靠且易于使用。
Historically, underwater robots were only used by military forces or giant oil companies because
历史上，水下机器人仅由军事力量或巨型石油公司使用，因为
they cost millions of dollars.
它们的成本高达数百万美元。
But now, thanks to advanced manufacturing, we have compact commercial robots that cost only a
但现在，由于先进的制造技术，我们有了小巧的商用机器人，其成本仅为
fraction of that.
原来价格的一小部分。
One of the biggest buyers is the aquaculture industry, which is fish farming.
最大的买家之一是水产养殖业，也就是养鱼业。
Farmers use small ROVs to inspect their underwater nets for holes, check on the health of the fish,
养殖户使用小型水下机器人来检查网箱是否有破洞，观察鱼群的健康状况，
and clean underwater structures.
并清洁水下结构。
It saves them from having to hire human divers, which is expensive and highly dangerous.
这让他们免于雇用人类潜水员，因为那是既昂贵又极其危险的。
Yes, safety must be a huge factor.
是的，安全必定是一个巨大的因素。
Sending a human diver into cold, dark, and pressured waters is always risky. Absolutely.
将人类潜水员送入寒冷、黑暗且有压力的水域总是十分危险的。确实如此。
Safety is the number one driver.
安全是第一驱动力。
Beyond fish farming, these robots are widely used for infrastructure inspection.
除了鱼类养殖，这些机器人还被广泛用于基础设施巡检。
Think of inspecting the underwater walls of dams, checking bridge pillars, or surveying scientific pipelines.
比如检查大坝的水下墙体、检测桥墩，或者勘测科研管道。
They are also used for search and rescue operations in lakes and oceans.
它们还被用于湖泊和海洋中的搜救行动。
Recently, we have even seen a rise in consumer -grade underwater drones.
最近，我们甚至看到消费级水下无人机的兴起。
Divers and marine enthusiasts use them to take stunning underwater videos and photos without even
潜水员和海洋爱好者用它们来拍摄极美的水下视频和照片，甚至无需
getting wet themselves.
亲自弄湿身体。
That sounds incredibly fun.
听起来极其好玩。
Imagine exploring a shipwreck from the comfort of a boat deck while wearing virtual reality goggles
想象一下，戴着虚拟现实眼镜，舒适地坐在船甲板上探索一艘沉船
connected to the robot.
连接到机器人。
Is that actually possible today?
这在今天实际上可行吗？
Yes, it is.
是的，没错。
In fact, some of the latest models support VR headset integration.
事实上，一些最新型号已经支持VR头显集成。
You put on the goggles, and as you turn your head, the robot's camera turns in the same direction.
你戴上眼镜，当你转头时，机器人的摄像头也会朝相同的方向转动。
It gives you a fully immersive first -person view of the underwater world.
它能给你一个完全沉浸式的水下世界第一人称视角。
It is truly mind -blowing technology.
这确实是令人兴奋的技术。
I might have to put one of those on my Christmas wish list.
我可能得把其中一个列入我的圣诞愿望清单了。
Now, Charles, looking ahead, where do you see this technology going in the next 5 to 10 years?
那么，查尔斯，展望未来，你认为这项技术在未来5到10年内会如何发展？
What is the next big breakthrough for underwater robots?
水下机器人的下一个重大突破是什么？
The future is all about artificial intelligence and autonomy.
未来完全属于人工智能和自主性。
Right now, most commercial ROVs still need a human pilot.
目前，大多数商用观测型水下机器人（ROV）仍需要人工操作。
But we're working on making them fully autonomous.
但我们正致力于使它们实现 完全自主。
Imagine a robot that lives permanently in an underwater docking station at a fish farm or an
想象一下，一个永久驻留在养鱼场水下停泊站的机器人，或者
offshore wind turbine.
近海风力发电机。
It wakes up every morning, conducts a patrol, detects any anomalies like a crack or a leak using AI
它每天早上醒来，进行巡逻，利用人工智能视觉检测任何异常情况，如裂缝或泄漏，
vision, repairs it if possible, and then goes back to its dock to recharge.
视觉进行修复（如果可能的话），然后返回停泊站充电。
All without any human intervention.
一切都无需人类的干预。
We are also exploring robot swarms, where multiple small robots work together to map a large area of
我们还在探索机器人集群，让多个小型机器人协同工作，绘制大面积
the ocean floor, communicating with each other through acoustic signals.
海底的地图，通过声学信号相互通信。
An underwater robot swarm, working together like a school of fish.
水下机器人集群，像鱼群一样协同工作。
That is both poetic and incredibly practical.
这既富有诗意，又极其具有实用性。
It is clear that we are just scratching the surface of what is possible in ocean exploration.
很明显，我们在海洋探索方面才刚刚起步（触及皮毛）。
Indeed, Laura.
确实如此，劳拉。
We often say we know more about the surface of the moon than we do about our own ocean floors.
我们常说，我们对月球表面的了解，比对我们自己海底的了解还要多。
These robots are the keys to unlocking the mysteries of 70 % of our planet.
这些机器人是解开我们地球70%奥秘的钥匙。
That is a wonderful note to wrap up on. Dr.
这真是一个极好的总结。博士，
Charles, thank you so much for joining us today and sharing your fascinating insights into the world
查尔斯，非常感谢你今天加入我们，并分享你对这个世界精彩的见解
of marine robotics.
——海洋机器人技术。
You made a very complex topic feel so accessible and exciting.
你把一个非常复杂的话题讲得如此易懂且令人兴奋。
My pleasure, Laura.
这是我的荣幸，劳拉。
Thank you for having me, and thanks to all the listeners of TalkCast.
感谢邀请我，也感谢TalkCast的所有听众。
And to our wonderful listeners, thank you for tuning in to this episode of TalkCast.
我们可爱的听众们，感谢收听本期TalkCast节目。
Today, we learned how underwater robots tackle hydrostatic pressure using high -strength materials
今天，我们了解了水下机器人如何利用高强度材料来应对静水压力
and oil filling techniques, and how they navigate using sound instead of GPS.
和充油技术，以及它们如何利用声音而非GPS进行导航。
Before you go, we have an exciting question for you.
在节目结束前，我们有一个有趣的问题要问你。
If you had your own personal underwater robot for a day, what or where would you want to explore?
如果你能拥有一台属于自己的个人水下机器人一天，你会想去探索什么或者哪里呢？
Would you look for lost pirate treasure, film coral reefs, or inspect a local lake?
你会去寻找迷失的海盗宝藏，拍摄珊瑚礁，还是去考察当地的湖泊？
Please write down your answers in the comments section below, and do not forget to check out what
请在下方的评论区写下你的答案，也别忘了看看
other listeners are saying.
其他听众都在说些什么。
We would love for you to join the TalkCast family.
我们非常希望你能加入 TalkCast 大家庭。
Please consider becoming a TalkCast member, subscribing to our show, sharing this episode with your
请考虑成为 TalkCast 的成员，订阅我们的节目，并把这一期节目分享给你的
friends, and leaving us your feedback.
朋友们，并给我们留下您的反馈。
Your support keeps us going.
您的支持是我们前行的动力。
As a reminder, the full English transcript and audio for this episode will be posted on our website
提示一下，本期节目的完整英文文字稿和音频将会发布在我们的网站上
at www .talkcast .top, and on our official WeChat public account, also named TalkCast.
网址是 www.talkcast.top，同时也会发布在我们的官方微信公众号上，名字同样叫 TalkCast。
Be sure to check them out if you want to practice your English reading and listening skills.
如果你想练习你的英语阅读和听力技巧，请务必去关注它们。
Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep listening.
下期再见，保持探索，保持学习，保持聆听。
I am Laura, and this is TalkCast. Goodbye.
我是 Laura，这里是 TalkCast。再见。
