What if robots could evolve?

如果机器人可以自主进化的话，那么这将会是一幅怎样的场景呢？

It's the question asked by a group of scientists in Amsterdam, whose radical¹ new project aims to create smarter, more advanced robots through a process similar to sexual reproduction.

这一问题由阿姆斯特丹的科学家们提出，他们创立一项不同凡响的新项目，旨在通过类似有性生殖的过程创造出更智能、更先进的机器人。

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.

虽然这一想法听起来有些难以置信，但是他们却已证明其确实可行：二月，一对机器人父母通过“交配”，生下了首个“机器人宝宝”。

In the Robot Baby Project at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, scientists have developed a way for robots to have 'sex' and pass on their DNA² to offspring.

在阿姆斯特丹自由大学的“机器人婴儿项目”中，科学家已经研发出一种使机器人通过“性交”而将DNA传递给后代的办法。

Doing this can allow them to 'develop their bodies through evolution,' making for successive generations that have more advanced physical and behavioural capabilities³.

这一做法可使机器人实现自我进化发展，从而使其后代能拥有更高级先进的身体机能和行为能力。

As the process continues, the researchers say robots can become more suitable for use in unknown environments that could be hazardous⁴ to humans, like deep sea mines or even other planets.

随着研究推进，研究人员认为这些机器人更适合用在对人类有害的未知领域中，比如深海矿井甚至是其它星球。

'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.

阿姆斯特丹自由大学的人工智能教授Guszti Eiben在一段视频中对这一概念解释道：“就像在动物界里一样，两个机器人相见交配，然后就有了宝宝。”

The robots live, work, and reproduce in an 'Arena,' where they are able to select a suitable mating partner.

这些机器人在实验室的“人生舞台”上生活、工作和繁殖，在那里它们可以选择适合交配的另一半。

When the two robots come together, they are then able to communicate and even mate.

当两个机器人邂逅相遇，它们可以相互交流甚至交配。

'When they evaluate each other favourably⁵, they send their genomes through the Wi-Fi network,' says Milan Jelisavcic, a PhD student at the university.

该大学的博士生Milan Jelisavcic说：“当它们评估对方为积极良性时，会通过Wi-Fi发送各自的基因组。”

'A sexual reproduction mechanism⁶ then creates the new genome. Code of this genome is sent to the 3D printer then, for printing new components⁷.'

“这种有性繁殖机制能创造出新的基因组，然后这一基因组代码会被发送至3D打印机上，进而打印出机器人宝宝的组成部件。”

During a year-and-a-half development period, the researchers were able to achieve the implementation⁸ of a full life cycle.

在一年半的研发进程中，研究人员实现了一个完整的生命周期测试。

When the parent robots 'reproduce,' their features are randomly⁹ recombined.

当机器人父母“繁衍后代”时，他们的特征是随意组合的。

This includes the brain – software – and the hardware.

这其中包括大脑（软件）和硬件。

'With evolutionary¹⁰ techniques, we evolve the neural¹¹ networks of the robots,' explains Jacqueline Heinerman, PhD student at VU, in the video.

视频中，学校里的另一个博士生杰奎琳•海纳曼解释道：“随着技术发展，我们能够开发机器人的神经网络。”

These neural networks are responsible for their behaviours.

这些神经网络主控机器人的行为。

The lab also contains a 'Birth Clinic' and a 'Nursery' for the robotic child, and once born, each must undergo a learning process.

研究实验室中还为机器人宝宝设立了“产房”和“育儿室”，出生后，每个机器人宝宝都必须进行学习。

If it is deemed satisfactory, the child then becomes an adult, and potentially, a parent.

一旦它们符合条件要求，便可步入成人阶段，还有可能为生育下一代做准备。

Researchers say this marks the start of a new era – the Industrial Evolution.

研究人员认为，这标志着“工业进化”新时代的开始。

In this state, machines could autonomously¹² operate and reproduce.

依此看来，机器人可以自主操作与繁殖。

One day, they say, this new form of evolution could even play a critical role in the colonization¹³ of Mars.

他们表示，终有一天，这一全新的进化方式将在殖民火星的过程中扮演举足轻重的作用。