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Navigation computers, now sold by most car-makers, cost $2,000 and up. No
surprise, then, that they are most often found in luxury cars, like Lexus,BMW
and Audi. But it is a developing technology-meaning prices should eventually
drop-and the market does seem to be growing.
Even at current prices, a navigation computer is impressive. It can guide
you from point to point in most major cities with precise turn-by-turn
directions-spoken by a clear human-sounding voice. and written on ascreen in
front of the driver.
The computer works with an antenna (天线) that takes signals from no fewer
than three or the 24, global positioning system (GPS) satellites. By measuring
the time required for a signal to travel between the satellites and the antenna.
the car's location can be pinned down within l00 meters.
The satellite signals. along with inputs on speed from a wheel-speed sensor
and direction from a meter, determine the car’s position even as it moves. This
information is combined with a map database. Streets, landmarks and points of
interest are included.
Most systems are basically identical. The differences come in hardware-the
way the computer accepts the driver's request for directions and the way it
presents the driving instructions. On most systems, a driver enters a desired
address, motorway junction or point of interest via a touch screen or disc. But
the Lexusscreen goes a step further: you can point to any spot on the map screen
and get directions to it.
BMW's system offers a set of cross hairs(瞄准器上的的十字纹)that can be moved across
the map (you have several choices of map scale) to pick a point you'd like to
get to. Audi's screen can be switched to TV reception.
Even the voices that recite the directions can differ, with better systems
like BMW's and Lexus's having awider vocabulary. The instructions are available
in French. German, Spanish, Dutch and Italian, as well asEnglish. The driver can
also choose parameters for determining the route: fastest, shortest or no
freeways(高速公路), for example.
1. We learn from the passage. that navigation computers______________.
A) will greatly promote sales of automobiles
B) may help solve potential traffic problems
C) are likely to be accepted by more drivers
D) will soon be viewed as a symbol of luxury
2. With a navigation computer, a driver will easily find the best route to
his destination________.
A) by inputting the exact address
B) by indicating the location of bis car
C) by checking his computer database
D) by giving vocal orders to the computer
3. Despite their varied designs, navigation computers used in
cars___________________.
A) are more or leas the same price
B) provide directions in much the same way
C) work on more or less the same principles
D) receive instructions from the same satellites
4. The navigation computer functions__________________.
A) by means of a direction finder and a speed detector
B) basically on satellite signals and a map database
C) mainly through the reception of turn-by-tum directions
D) by using a screen to display satellite signals
5. The navigation systems in cars like Lexus. BMW and Audi are mentioned to
show__________.
A) the immaturity of the new technology
B) the superiority of the global positioning system
C) the cause of price fluctuations in car equipment
D) the different ways of providing guidance to the driver
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发表于 2016-12-4 13:30:27