美國內華達州機動車管理部門近日向谷歌頒發了首個自動駕駛汽車牌照，以進一步檢驗此類車輛在實際道路駕駛中的性能。該汽車牌照為紅色，上面用無限大符號∞來與其它車輛進行區分。如果進展順利，自動駕駛汽車有望于三到五年內面市。屆時，自動駕駛車輛的車牌將會定為綠色。

據介紹，自動駕駛汽車其實是用自動駕駛儀來控制車輛，不需要人類駕駛員有任何操作，也不會像人類駕駛員那樣容易分神。安裝在車頂和保險杠上的激光雷達可以隨時監測車輛周邊行人和車輛的情況，并會在各類障礙物與車輛之間形成一個虛擬的緩沖區域，以使車輛能夠安全避開。

Department of Motor Vehicles officials said Monday they've issued Google the nation's first license to test self-driving cars on public streets.

Nevada drivers could soon be sharing the road with vehicles that don't need them.

Department of Motor Vehicles officials said Monday they've issued Google the nation's first license to test self-driving cars on public streets, after conducting demonstrations on the Las Vegas Strip and in Carson City that show the car is as safe — or perhaps safer — than a human.

"It gets honked at more often because it's being safe," said Nevada DMV Director Bruce Breslow.

Self-driving vehicle technology works like auto-pilot to guide a car — in this case a modified Prius — with little or no intervention from a human operator. Laser radar mounted on the roof and in the grill detects pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles, creating a virtual buffer zone around the obstacles that the car then avoids.

While some envision the robotic car dropping off its operator at the front of the mall and hunting for a parking spot on its own, Breslow said not so fast.

Nevada's regulations require two people in the test cars at all times. One person is behind the wheel, while the other person monitors a computer screen that shows the car's planned route and keeps tabs on roadway hazards and traffic lights.

If there's a glitch, the human driver can override the autonomous auto with a tap on the brake or a hand on the steering wheel.

Last summer, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval took the car for a spin in and around the state's quiet capital city. But Las Vegas Boulevard, where costumed superheroes routinely take the crosswalks and massive billboards angle for the attention of starry-eyed tourists, was perhaps best suited to test the car's main purpose.

"They're designed to avoid distracted driving," Breslow said. "When you're on the Strip and there's a huge truck with a three scantily clad women on the side, the car only sees a box."

So far, Google's applied to license three test vehicles. Breslow said the cars will display red plates and an infinity symbol to represent their status as vehicles of the future.

Once they're ready for the market — something Breslow guesses could come in three to five years — the plates will be green.

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(Agencies)

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）