German scientists have invented a device designed to prevent motorists from falling asleep at the wheel which could save 300,000 lives a year around the world. The system devised at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology involves tiny cameras that monitor eye movements which trigger an alarm when drivers seem about to nod off.
德国科学家近日发明一种能够“防止司机开车时瞌睡”的监视器，据悉，这一新发明一旦问世，每年可以“拯救”30万民众的生命。监视器囊括了一个“微型摄像头”用来观察司机眼部活动情况，司机一旦打盹，眼皮的活动会通过传感器告诉设备，并发出尖锐的警报声。
Professor Peter Husar of the institute said: 'What we have developed is a small modular system with its own hardware and programmes on board, so that the line of vision is computed directly within the camera itself.
发明此设备的教授Peter 说，该设备属于自带存储命令的模块化系统，司机“视线”运动情况将会受到系统中的微型摄像头监视。
'Since the Eyetracker is fitted with at least two cameras that record images stereoscopically – meaning in three dimensions– the system can easily identify the spatial position of the pupil and the line of vision. 'It will immediately recognise when a driver‘s eyes are are tired or close their eyes for a moment.'
据悉，设备中包括至少2个微型摄像头直接“观察”司机瞳孔的运动情况。也就是说，如果司机有困意，眼皮“不听使唤”的时候，设备会立即识别并提醒司机。
The system is called 'Eye Tracker' and could be on the market as early as the end of next year. The size of a matchbook, testing is due to start in January 2011 and scientists hope it will be ready for sale by December at around ?100 a unit.
这款名叫“眼动仪”的设备准备在明年投入市场，据悉，这款测量眼睛的移动以及位置的设备价格不菲，每个售价大概在100英镑左右。
Notes:
at the wheel: 开车
stereoscopically adv. 实立体镜地
dimensions n. 规模，大小
以上就是今天的托福阅读材料，爱走神的同学可以安心了吧，不过，如果长时间走神，那可真的会影响托福备考的效率哦！