科技疑问:智能软件能充当保护伞?

Texting while driving can be deadly. Talking on the phone while walking is also deadly, or at least threatening enough. Researchers at Dartmouth College in America and the University of Bologna in Italy thought it necessary to develop a smartphone app that can make those things safer.

开车时发短信可能招致性命之忧，走路时打电话同样会致命，至少这样做是非常危险的。来自美国达特茅斯学院和意大利博洛尼亚大学的研究人员认为有必要开发一款智能手机应用程序，让上述事情变得更为安全。

Their Android app uses machine learning and image recognition, which takes place right on your phone to alert you when you're chatting your way right into an oncoming smash-up.

他们所开发的安卓系统应用程序使用机器学习和图像识别技术。当重大的交通事故即将发生时，该程序会在你的手机上发出警报，提醒正在聊天的你。

The app uses the outward facing camera on a smartphone to help a pedestrian look both ways (at least one way). Using vision algorithms built into the app, the system determines which way cars on the roadway are facing and whether or not they are moving. Then it takes into account the tilt of the phone and varies light conditions to establish an accurate picture of the roadway. Therefore, it figures out if any approaching vehicle is a threat to the user.

该程序借助智能手机的外置摄像头帮助行人观察左右两侧的路况（至少是一侧）。系统可以利用程序中的视觉计算公式来判断路上车辆行驶的方向和它们的行驶状况。然后系统将考虑手机的倾斜程度，调节光线，形成路面交通状况的真实图像，由此推断正在靠近的任何车辆是否会对机主造成威胁。

The app, known as WalkSafe, can detect cars moving 30 miles per hour at more than 160 feet. While a careless user is on jaywalking and talking on the phone, the app can be very useful. It warns the user via auditory and vibrating alerts before he or she is struck down by a moving car at high speed.

该程序被命名为WalkSafe，能探测到160英尺（约48米）开外的时速为30英里（约48公里）的车辆。当粗心的机主一边横穿马路，一边打电话时，该程序就会派上用场。它能在飞驰的汽车撞上机主之前发出声音和震动示警。

Unless a car is coming from another direction, the app can really improve safety. However, it's worth noting that despite the cleverness of WalkSafe, you shouldn't completely trust it with your life. It's not meant to replace our common sense and attention.

该系统确实能提高安全系数，除非汽车从另一个方向驶来。然而，值得一提的是，尽管WalkSafe很聪明，但你不能将自己的性命完全托付于它。WalkSafe并非是我们的常识和注意力的替代品。