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With self-driving vehicle technology rapidly advancing, many companies are turning to autonomous robots for the final leg of the delivery process, from the store or local distribution center to the customer. The latest to join the trend is e-commerce giant Amazon. Following a successful eight — month test run in Snohomish County, Washington, the company's Scout robots have been making the rounds of Irvine, California, since August 6, 2019.

The six-wheeled Scout is about the size of a large cooler with the capacity to carry small or medium-sized

packages. The battery-powered vehicle, which moves at a regular walking pace, has been programmed to avoid pedestrians, animals, and unexpected obstacles, such as garbage cans. Its powerful sensors can also detect the movement of a car backing out of a driveway.

To accelerate Scout's development and bring it nationwide sooner, the company has created several detailed virtual maps of American suburbs and conducted trial deliveries to homes there.

Though Amazon has not shown how Scout ensures the delivery is picked up by the right person, it most likely requires the customer to apply a unique code, texted to them prior to the delivery, to unlock the store box. Also unclear is the number of deliveries Scout can complete before its battery needs to be recharged. Though the initial tests are being conducted with a human for company, the robot will be autonomous in the future. Its location, however, will be tracked at all times ——if someone attempts to steal Scout, Amazon employees will be instantly sensed.

However, the eco-friendly robots are unable to climb stairs or open gates, which means that they can only reach consumers who live on the ground level. Additionally, the robots are unable to leave packages at the front door if the customers are not home. Whether these problems get resolved remains to be seen. For now, it appears that humans will still be needed to achieve the ever-growing demand for home and office deliveries.

1.What are many companies developing autonomous robots for?

A.Final tests. B.The so-called last mile.

C.Robots' safety. D.Delivery speed.

2.What can we infer about Scout from paragraph 2?

A.It looks like a cooler. B.It adjusts its speed accordingly.

C.Its sensors play a key role. D.It will be widely used soon.

3.What does the underlined phrase “prior to" in paragraph 4 mean?

A.Before. B.After.

C.In front of. D.Due to.

4.From which is the text probably taken?

A.A biology textbook. B.A health magazine.

C.A newspaper. D.A travel brochure.

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