VOA慢速：脸书或推可控制虚拟物体的手环
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今天为大家带来一则关于科技新闻。
Facebook says it is developing a device that would permit users to use their hand to control virtual objects.
脸书称其正在研发一款设备，该设备允许用户通过手部来控制虚拟物体。
The device, worn on the wrist, is designed to work with glasses to create an augmented reality, or AR, experience.
这款设备是佩戴在腕部的，要与眼镜搭配使用来实现虚拟现实（AR）的体验。
AR is a technology that uses glasses to project computer-created images onto a user's view of the real world.
AR是一种技术，该技术通过眼镜来将计算机产生的图片投射在用户现实世界的视野中。
Facebook recently described its device in a report on its website.
近日，脸书在其官网的一篇报道中描述了这款设备。
The social media service said the technology would permit users to enter virtual worlds,
脸书表示，这项技术允许用户进入虚拟世界，
where they could control different objects simply with finger movements.
在虚拟世界中，用户可以通过简单的手指运动来控制不同的物体。
The AR system is expected to transform the way we connect with people near and far in the future, Facebook said.
该AR系统预计能在未来转变我们与其他人联系的方式，脸书如是说道。
Imagine being able to teleport anywhere in the world to have shared experiences with the people who matter most in your life –
大家可以试想一下，这款技术能够将世界上任何地方的景象分享跟我们生命中最重要的那些人——
no matter where they happen to be, said Andrew Bosworth.
无论那些对我们重要的人身在何处，安德鲁·博斯沃思如是说道。
He is the head of Facebook's Reality Labs.
安德鲁是虚拟现实研究实验室的负责人。
In the past, Facebook has mostly centered its AR development on improving gaming experiences.
脸书之前将AR研发的主要精力放在了优化游戏体验上了；
Now, it is aiming to expand the technology to be used in more everyday ways.
脸书现在的目标是扩展其技术，让其应用更贴近日常。
With this goal in mind, Facebook said one of the most important considerations was to find the right kind of device to control the AR glasses.
脸书表示，秉持着这个目标，脸书最重要的考量之一就是寻找合适的设备来控制AR眼镜。
It would have to be easy to use, wearable, always available and powerful enough to perform complex actions.
这种设备必须要易于使用、耐磨损、便于携带、具有可以执行复杂行为的强大功能。
The company decided a wristband would be the best choice.
脸书最终的决定是：手环是最佳选择。
The device will use a technology known as electromyography, or EMG, to translate complex hand movements.
该设备将会用到一种叫肌电（EMG）的技术，该技术可以转化复杂的手部运动，
EMG measures electrical activity in muscles when they move.
可以在肌肉发生运动时，测量电活动。
Sensors will translate electrical motor nerve signals that travel through the wrist to the hand into digital commands
感应器可以将通过腕部流动到手部的电运动神经信号转化为数字指令，
that you can use to control the functions of a device, Facebook said.
人们可以通过这种指令来控制一款设备的诸多功能，脸书如是说道。
These signals -- which start in the brain and travel through the wrist – are so clear
这些始于脑部、流经腕部的信号十分清晰，
that EMG can understand finger movements as small as one millimeter, the company said.
所以肌电可以理解手部运动的含义，哪怕只是动了一毫米，脸书如是说道。
It added that in the future, it may even be possible to sense just the intention to move a finger.
脸书补充表示，未来，该设备甚至还可能可以察觉到想要移动手指的念头。
Facebook shared pictures and video of experiments it carried out with a research model of the wristband.
脸书分享了一些图片和实验视频，实验是用手环的研究模型做的。
One video splits the view to show a virtual hand copying the movements of a real hand that is wearing the wristband.
其中一个视频是分屏视频，模仿了佩戴手环的真实手部的运动。
The hand appears to control a moving piece in a projected virtual world.
视频里的那只虚拟手部似乎是在控制投射出的虚拟世界中的一个移动的物体。
Another video shows a demonstration in which a person wearing the wristband uses fingers to type on a surface without the need for a keyboard.
另一个视频中，一个戴着手环的人用手指点击屏幕，全程无需键盘。
Facebook said this kind of virtual keyboard could actually learn an individual's way of typing and make changes to fit it.
脸书表示，这种虚拟键盘可以读懂个人的打字方式，并做出适配的调整。
Another use of the wristband could permit users to click on controls that only exist virtually.
手环的另一个用途是允许用户点击虚拟控制器。
The goal is to create computing experiences where the human is the absolute center of the entire experience, Facebook said.
其目标是创建计算处理的体验，让人类成为整个体验中的绝对中心，脸书如是说道。
Industry experts see Facebook's product plans as progress in the race among major technology companies to develop AR glasses.
业内的一些专家认为，脸书的这项产品规划是一种进展，与其同在研发AR眼镜这条跑道上的还有一些大型
科技公司。
Companies including Google, Apple and Amazon have suggested such technology could someday replace smartphones.
包括谷歌、苹果、亚马逊在内的一些公司表示，这类技术某一天可能会取代智能手机。
Facebook said earlier that smart glasses would need to depend on devices like phones
此前，脸书曾表示，智能眼镜需要依赖手机这样的设备，
because of limitations on electric power and the heat produced during use.
因为电力的局限性和使用过程中产生的热量。
A wristband could help support those computing needs.
手环有助于支持这类计算需求。
In September, Facebook said it was about five to 10 years away from being able to bring to market "true" AR glasses
9月，脸书表示，他们还需要大概5-10年的时间才能让这种AR眼镜面世，
that would permit users to interact with shared virtual objects.
到时候。用户就可以跟其他人共享的虚拟物体互动了。
I'm Bryan Lynn.
布莱恩·林恩为您播报。
这里是 美国之音 频道