放開你的方向盤 奧迪自動駕駛汽車初體驗

What’s it like to drive a car that drives itself? To give a computer full control of your destiny, on the highway, at 70 miles an hour?

開着一輛自動駕駛汽車是什麼感覺？是不是將你的小命交給電腦，讓它指引汽車在高速公路上以每小時70英里的速度行駛？

It will happen to you, maybe not in five years, but definitely within 15. You’ll be on the highway and hit a button and the car will take over, navigating through slow traffic and allowing you to tap away at your cell phone or even take a short nap.

你遲早會體會到這種感覺，也許5年內還不行，但15年內絕對可以。上了高速，你只要按下一個按鈕，汽車就會開啓自動駕駛模式，你可以玩一會兒手機，甚至睡上一覺。

Well, I’ve experienced it already, in the very first week of 2015, on a 560-mile road trip from Silicon Valley to Las Vegas. On behalf of Fortune, I was one of five journalists to experience an autonomous car at this advanced level.

2015年的第一個星期，在一段從硅谷前往拉斯維加斯，長達560英里的旅程中，我體驗了一番這種感覺。作爲代表《財富》的記者，我榮幸地成爲率先體驗一款技術先進的自動駕駛汽車的五名記者之一。

The car was an Audi A7 that looked exactly like any other, if you discounted the special paint job and the words “Audi Piloted Driving” on the sides. The oddest part was just how quickly I got used to the car making decisions for me at highway speeds.

除去特殊的塗裝和車身上的“奧迪自動駕駛”字樣，這輛奧迪A7看起來與同型號的其它車輛沒有任何區別。最奇妙的是，我很快就習慣了它在高速公速上替我做決定。

All the major automakers are in a race to develop the first fully autonomous car, and if you listen to some of the companies it sounds as if a robotic chauffeur will be taking over grocery-getting duties any day now. Don’t believe them. Neither the technology nor the laws governing it are anywhere near that point. Your 10-year-old will still need his or her driving license in six years unless you plan to pay for Uber rides to the mall well into their 20s.

目前，市面上所有主流汽車廠商都在爭先恐後地開發首款完全自動駕駛的汽車。在有些廠家的宣傳詞裏，好像不久之後“汽車人”就能自動替你去買菜了。別相信他們。不論是在技術層面還是法律層面，我們離那個目標都非常遙遠。你10歲的孩子六年後還是得考駕照，除非你打算讓他們20多歲時還要通過Uber來叫車載他們去商場。

Nonetheless, Volkswagen Group-owned Audi was out to prove that it was ahead of the curve, and invited me to test drive a prototype sedan capable of “level three” autonomous technology (see accompanying story for definitions of those levels). The trip began from a hotel in Menlo Park, and I had visions of inputting “Las Vegas” into the navigation system, hitting the “go” button and kicking back with 1984 on my Kindle as the car whisked me away.

不過，德國大衆集團旗下的奧迪公司想要證明他們已經在這個領域領先了一步，於是邀請我去試駕一款據說具備了“第三級”自動駕駛技術的轎車（這些等級的定義見本文附註）。這趟旅行的起點是門洛帕克市的一家酒店。在我的想象中，我以爲只需要在導航系統裏輸入“拉斯維加斯”，按一個“走你”的按鈕，車子就會載着我飛奔，然後我就可以用Kindle電子書悠閒地看《1984》了。

Not so much. This special prototype can only pilot itself in very specific situations. The basic criteria: 1) It drives itself only on well-marked freeways during the day and in favorable weather conditions; 2) A driver has to be in the seat at all times and ready to take back control immediately in an emergency situation (so no napping); 3) The driver gives up control while already on the freeway and takes it back before it’s time to exit.

事實上並沒有這麼簡單。這臺原型車只能在非常特定的情形下才能實現自動駕駛。基本條件是：1、它只能在標誌明顯的高速公路上才能實現自動駕駛，而且必須是白天，天氣狀況必須良好；2、駕駛員必須始終坐在駕駛座上，隨時準備在緊急條件下立即轉到手動駕駛模式（所以打盹是不可能了）；3、只有上了高速，司機才能開啓自動駕駛，在車子下高速之前，司機就要重新接管汽車。

Audi engineers says they have done more than 50,000 miles of testing on public roads in America using this self-driving technology. But on this trip they weren’t leaving much to chance. They had run the long, southeastern route through Bakersfield at least six times previously. There were two German engineers in the car at all times. The one in the back had a laptop and was constantly screening data. The fellow in the right-hand seat paid keen attention to the road ahead. Disconcertingly, he also had his own gas and brake pedals.

奧迪的工程師表示，他們已經利用自動駕駛技術，在美國的公共道路上行駛了50,000多英里。但在本次旅途中，他們也不敢怠慢，而且已經沿這條向東南方經由巴克斯菲爾德的公路行駛了六次。這次車裏依然始終坐着兩名德國工程師。坐在後面的這位架着一臺筆記本電腦，不停地檢查各種數據。坐在副駕駛的那位始終謹慎地觀察前方道路。比較尷尬的是，他的腳底下也有一套油門和剎車踏板。

The trunk of the car was filled with components from desktop computers, with a hydra of cords interconnecting them to the car. Also a bit disconcerting. But the interior looked almost entirely normal.

車子的後備箱裏裝滿了臺式電腦的部件，一大團數據線把它們與汽車聯接在一起。這一幕看着也有點尷尬，但內飾基本上完全正常。

It’s at this point that I should mention that I’m an A-type driver. Years of training on the racetrack and practicing emergency maneuvers have not helped matters. You may think you’re a great driver. I would likely disagree. I love to be in the driver’s seat—and if I’m not, I’d just prefer to be outside the car. So yes, you might say I’ve got control issues.

我應該強調一下，我是A型血。多年的賽道訓練和緊急操作練習也沒有治好我的強迫症。你可能認爲你是個很好的司機，但我很可能不這麼認爲。我喜歡坐在駕駛座上——如果開車的不是我，我寧可不坐這輛車。所以你可能會認爲我的控制慾過強。

And while I like technology, I don’t really trust it. Computers crash all the time. They can be hacked and compromised and my Apple computer too often suffers that spinning ball of death. Was I really ready to turn over my life to a robotic overlord? Have we learned nothing from the Terminator movies?

另外，雖然我喜歡高科技，但我並不真心信任它。電腦還經常崩潰呢，或是被黑、中毒什麼的，我自己的蘋果電腦也經常死機。我真的準備好把寶貴的生命託付給機器人了嗎？難道看了《終結者》系列電影后，我們什麼教訓都沒學到嗎？

So I was happy enough to be in control as we motored through a small California town in the prototype Audi, making our way toward Interstate 5. The prototype was in most regards still a stock A7, a sexy, swoop-backed sedan that I really love. It has lots of pep and a great suspension.

所以當我們沿5號公路來到加州一個小鎮，換我坐到駕駛座上時，我還是非常高興的。這輛原型車骨子裏還是一臺量產的奧迪A7，它是一款令人愛不釋手、非常性感的溜背轎跑，動力充沛，懸掛也很出色。

Then we got on the freeway and a message appeared on my digital dash, informing me that “piloted” driving mode was available. Traffic was heavy and too closely spaced together. This truly would be a test of the technology.

然後我們又上了高速，這時數碼儀表盤上顯示出一條消息，提示稱“自動”駕駛模式已經可以使用了。不過這時路上車流很大，車距很窄，這對該技術真是一項挑戰。

I glanced over at the engineer and he gave me a confident nod. The lower stalks of the steering wheel have two extra buttons. You press and hold both simultaneously to engage the autonomous feature. I did so: an alert sounded and the steering wheel automatically retracted several inches, literally moving out of my hands.

我瞄了工程師一眼，他對我信心十足地點了點頭。方向盤下面有兩個額外的按鈕。同時長按這兩個按鈕即可啓動自動駕駛功能。我這樣做了以後，車內響起了一聲提醒音，然後方向盤收縮了幾英寸，擺脫了我的掌控。

The A7 prototype uses an array of stock sensors, including radar and a front-facing camera, to navigate through traffic. It stays in the right-hand lane until it comes on slower-moving traffic, and then will engage its turn signal, pull into the left lane, and pass.

這臺A7原型車使用了一系列傳感器，包括雷達和正對前方的攝像頭，用來感應車流狀況。車子一直在右道行駛，如果遇見前車行駛太慢，它就會打轉向燈，然後拐上左道超車。

Using the side stalk, I set the speed at 70 mph. The steering wheel was moving on its own, a ghost in the machine. We were approaching a slow-moving minivan quickly and I tensed, my foot hovering over the brake pedal. The car smoothly engaged the brakes, waited for a car on the left to pass, turned on the signal, passed the van and pulled back to the right. Seamless.

通過方向盤側邊的撥杆，我把速度設定爲每小時70英里（約每小時112公里）。方向盤自動擺動，就像有個幽靈在開車一樣。車子很快接近了一臺開得很慢的麪包車，我精神緊張起來，把腳放在剎車踏板上準備隨時制動。但車子自動平順地放慢了車速，等到左邊的一輛車先超過去，纔打了轉向燈，超過了這輛麪包車，然後又回到右側車道，簡直天衣無縫。

I stared straight ahead, hands in lap. Then I relaxed a bit. Then I got bored. I twisted in the seat and began chatting with the engineers. Then I started messing with traffic around me, planting both hands on the side window as cars passed. Look, sir! No hands. I got some strange looks. I even tried to attract the attention of a state trooper pulled to the side of the road. My engineer/minder wasn’t so amused.

我的眼睛直視前方，雙手放在了膝蓋上。然後，我放鬆了一會兒，很快就覺得無聊。我把座椅調整了個角度，然後開始和工程師們聊天。我開始望着周圍的車流，有車子經過時，我就把兩隻手都伸到車窗外頭。“看我大撒把！”人們對我投來奇怪的眼神。我甚至還試圖吸引停在路邊的交警的注意力。當然，那位工程師並不覺得我這樣做有多麼好玩。

Here’s what I liked: It was very easy to take back control. Simply grab the steering wheel and apply light pressure, and the system happily gives all controls back to you. You can also apply the brakes or gas and do the same thing. And the car still drove and handled like an Audi. It really wasn’t foreign at all: Easy to understand even easier to use.

我最喜歡的一點是：你很容易就能收回對車子的控制權。只需輕輕一拉方向盤，施加一點點力量，系統就會很高興地把它的所有控制權交還給你。踩剎車或油門也能達到同樣的效果。車子的操縱感仍然像一輛經典的奧迪。它完全沒有陌生的感覺，瞭解它很容易，用起來甚至更容易。

What I didn’t like: The passiveness. It’s very hard to pay attention after a while. Being sort-of, kind-of in control is difficult. Either you’re all-in driving, or you’re not. Engineers say that when the technology eventually comes to market, the car should be able to perform some evasive maneuvers. But right now, if a car careens toward you the car can only slow down to avoid an accident. It’s up to you to perform more elaborate evasive action.

我不喜歡的一點是它的被動性。車子走了一陣子之後，你就很難集中注意力了，很難獲得所謂的“控制感”。要麼是用手動模式開車，要麼不是。工程師們表示，等到這項技術最終投放市場，它屆時應該可以進行機動規避。不過目前，如果一輛車子向你行駛的方向側翻過來，車子只能自動減速以避免事故。要想進行更復雜的機動動作，就得靠你自己去手動操作。

As for accidents, we saw a lot of them that day on I-5. Fender benders mostly, but at least one serious incident the other direction. Audi says it is pursuing this technology because it saves lives, as the majority of accidents are the result of distracted driving.

說到事故，那天我們在5號公路上見到了很多交通事故，大部分是小刮蹭，但至少在反向車道上還是發生了一起嚴重事故。奧迪公司表示它正在積極推進這項技術，因爲它可以挽救很多人的生命，因爲大多數交通事故都是因爲開車分心而導致的。

Meanwhile, our A7 stayed out of trouble and accident free, moving steadily to our destination, the Las Vegas Strip, which we would reach just in time for the annual Consumer Electronics Show.

我們的A7一路平安無事，也沒有遇到事故，穩穩地駛向我們的目的地拉斯維加斯，剛好能趕上一年一度的CES消費電子展。

By the end of the trip, I was a believer. The technology is for real. Do I love it? Well, I certainly see the attraction, especially on a long boring route. And I do believe that it will eventually save lives.

等到這趟旅程結束時，我自己也成了自動駕駛技術的擁躉。這項技術是真真切切的。要說我喜歡它嗎？我當然看到了它的優點，尤其是在行駛一段漫長而無聊的道路時。而且我也真心相信，最終它會拯救許多人的生命。

But I write about cars for a living. Fully autonomous driving would consign me to the ranks of scriveners, typesetters and harpoon salesmen. I guess at that point, I’ll be reviewing the fengshui of the interior.

不過，我是靠寫汽車新聞謀生的。如果自動駕駛汽車技術完全成熟了，我只能去做代書人、打字員或是賣漁具之類的工作。估計到那時候，我也就只能評測一下汽車內飾的風水了。

For now, I’ll just say that the A7 self-driving car and I are frenemies.

現在，我只能說A7自動駕駛汽車與我是“亦敵亦友”的關係。

Sidebar: stages of self-driving cars

附註：自動駕駛汽車的發展階段

Hoping for a car that will pick you up at your doorstep, whisk you to work, and then disappear around the block until it returns for you at 5 pm? For many engineers, such a fully automated and self-guiding car is the ultimate goal, but it will be many years until we actually see one.

你是否暢想過，你的汽車能像變形金剛一樣，每天自動開到門口接你，載着你上班，然後自己消失了，直到下午5點鐘又來公司接你？對於很多工程師來說，這種完全的自動駕駛和自動導航汽車仍是一個終極目標，我們可能還得等很多年才能見到它。

Experts have laid out five levels of automation, from the lowest (one) to that full robotic taxi (five).

專家們給自動駕駛劃分了五個等級，從最低級（一級）到全自動機器人出租車（第五級）。

The first level is found on many luxury cars today. It’s referred to as a driver’s assistance program and include automatic cruise control, in which the car will slow or even stop when it senses slower traffic ahead. A lane-assistance system, which helps keep a car from straying beyond lane markings, is also considered level one.

當前的很多豪華車型已經具備了第一級功能。它是指駕駛員的輔助程序，包括自動巡航控制，也就是當汽車感覺到前方車速較慢時會自動減速甚至停車。車道輔助系統可以避免車子在行駛時越線，它也被視爲第一級技術。

Level two is a car that can handle several tasks independently of the driver, including parking itself, with the driver outside the car controlling some aspects with a key fob.

第二級是指汽車可以脫離駕駛員，來處理幾項任務，包括自動停車入位，不過通常是駕駛員在車外通過某種遙控器遙控的。

Level three is where things get more interesting. The Audi prototype that we tested was level three, and it can negotiate traffic on a pre-ordained route independent of the driver. However, it depends on a driver to be behind the wheel at all times, and to take over control at the beginning and end of the route. It also demands that the driver take back control in any emergency circumstance.

第三級更有趣些。我們試駕的這輛奧迪原型車就是第三級技術，它可以獨立於駕駛員，自動在一條預先設定好的道路上行車。但它需要駕駛員全程坐在方向盤後面，並且要在自動駕駛模式開始前和結束後手動駕車。在緊急狀況下也需要駕駛員接管車輛。

High automation is level four. This car will be able to find a safe area to pull off the road if the driver doesn’t respond to a call of action to take back over. It could also potentially drop you off outside of your building and then pull itself automatically into a pre-ordained spot in the public garage.

第四級是高度自動化。如果駕駛員沒有響應汽車交回控制權的要求，它甚至可以自己找到一個安全的區域停在路邊。它也可能會自動開到你的樓前接你，然後自動把自己停在公共停車場的一個預定車位上。

Five is the robotic taxi that would need no driver behind the wheel whatsoever. Which brings us to this question: When are we going go get those flying cars, anyhow?

第五級是根本不需要駕駛員坐在方向盤後頭的“機器人出租車”。這也讓我們不禁想問：那種會飛的汽車什麼時候才能出現呢？（財富中文網）