圖中右側就是機器人父母，左側則是機器人寶寶。圖中可以看到，機器人父母分別是藍色和綠色的，機器人寶寶身上藍、綠色都有。

What if robots could evolve?
如果機器人可以自主進化的話，那么這將會是一幅怎樣的場景呢？

It's the question asked by a group of scientists in Amsterdam, whose radical new project aims to create smarter, more advanced robots through a process similar to sexual reproduction.
這一問題由阿姆斯特丹的科學家們提出，他們創立一項不同凡響的新項目，旨在通過類似有性生殖的過程創造出更智能、更先進的機器人。

While the idea may sound far-fetched, they've already demonstrated a proof of concept – in February, two robot parents came together to 'mate,' and the first 'robot baby' was born.
雖然這一想法聽起來有些難以置信，但是他們卻已證明其確實可行：二月，一對機器人父母通過“交配”，生下了首個“機器人寶寶”。

In the Robot Baby Project at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, scientists have developed a way for robots to have 'sex' and pass on their DNA to offspring.
在阿姆斯特丹自由大學的“機器人嬰兒項目”中，科學家已經研發出一種使機器人通過“性交”而將DNA傳遞給后代的辦法。

Doing this can allow them to 'develop their bodies through evolution,' making for successive generations that have more advanced physical and behavioural capabilities.
這一做法可使機器人實現自我進化發展，從而使其后代能擁有更高級先進的身體機能和行為能力。

As the process continues, the researchers say robots can become more suitable for use in unknown environments that could be hazardous to humans, like deep sea mines or even other planets.
隨著研究推進，研究人員認為這些機器人更適合用在對人類有害的未知領域中，比如深海礦井甚至是其它星球。

'We have two robots that meet and mate, and just as in the animal kingdom, this results in a baby,' says Guszti Eiben, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at VU, in a video explaining the concept.
阿姆斯特丹自由大學的人工智能教授Guszti Eiben在一段視頻中對這一概念解釋道：“就像在動物界里一樣，兩個機器人相見交配，然后就有了寶寶。”

The robots live, work, and reproduce in an 'Arena,' where they are able to select a suitable mating partner.
這些機器人在實驗室的“人生舞臺”上生活、工作和繁殖，在那里它們可以選擇適合交配的另一半。

When the two robots come together, they are then able to communicate and even mate.
當兩個機器人邂逅相遇，它們可以相互交流甚至交配。

'When they evaluate each other favourably, they send their genomes through the Wi-Fi network,' says Milan Jelisavcic, a PhD student at the university.
該大學的博士生Milan Jelisavcic說：“當它們評估對方為積極良性時，會通過Wi-Fi發送各自的基因組。”

'A sexual reproduction mechanism then creates the new genome. Code of this genome is sent to the 3D printer then, for printing new components.'
“這種有性繁殖機制能創造出新的基因組，然后這一基因組代碼會被發送至3D打印機上，進而打印出機器人寶寶的組成部件。”

During a year-and-a-half development period, the researchers were able to achieve the implementation of a full life cycle.
在一年半的研發進程中，研究人員實現了一個完整的生命周期測試。

When the parent robots 'reproduce,' their features are randomly recombined.
當機器人父母“繁衍后代”時，他們的特征是隨意組合的。

This includes the brain – software – and the hardware.
這其中包括大腦（軟件）和硬件。

'With evolutionary techniques, we evolve the neural networks of the robots,' explains Jacqueline Heinerman, PhD student at VU, in the video.
視頻中，學校里的另一個博士生杰奎琳?海納曼解釋道：“隨著技術發展，我們能夠開發機器人的神經網絡。”

These neural networks are responsible for their behaviours.
這些神經網絡主控機器人的行為。

The lab also contains a 'Birth Clinic' and a 'Nursery' for the robotic child, and once born, each must undergo a learning process.
研究實驗室中還為機器人寶寶設立了“產房”和“育兒室”，出生后，每個機器人寶寶都必須進行學習。

If it is deemed satisfactory, the child then becomes an adult, and potentially, a parent.
一旦它們符合條件要求，便可步入成人階段，還有可能為生育下一代做準備。

Researchers say this marks the start of a new era – the Industrial Evolution.
研究人員認為，這標志著“工業進化”新時代的開始。

In this state, machines could autonomously operate and reproduce.
依此看來，機器人可以自主操作與繁殖。

One day, they say, this new form of evolution could even play a critical role in the colonization of Mars.
他們表示，終有一天，這一全新的進化方式將在殖民火星的過程中扮演舉足輕重的作用。

Vocabulary

genomes：基因組
neural networks：神經網絡

英文來源：每日郵報
翻譯：章琳（中國日報網愛新聞iNews譯者）
編審：yaning