Robotic technology is rapidly becoming a standard part of our everyday lives. It used to be that robots were only seen in factories and manufacturing plants, but that is no longer the case. Instead of being large, immovable machines, robots have been shrinking, and as a result, you can find robots in offices, homes, and nearly anywhere you can imagine.
The type of robot the average person is most likely to come into contact withis a service robot. Service robots offer assistance to humans when it comes to service- or customer-related tasks. Though the definition of service robots is broad and still growing, there is one thing that service robots are not: They aren’t involved inindustrial automation.
What exactly does a service robot look like in practice? Well, that depends onthe industry it serves. In the retail industry, service robots can share the workload with human employees by keeping track ofinventory. They can also assist customers by providing answers to standard questions, such as directions to certain stores or movie showtimes at a theater.
If you are at a hotel, you may see a service robot that brings luggage to rooms or delivers room service. Like those in the retailsector, robots in hospitality can also answer questions. Robots can act as the conciergefor regular guest inquiries, and if there’s a question it can’t answer, it is capable of directingyou tohuman staff members that can help.
Another sector where service robots are becoming more common is healthcare. In hospitals, robots help set up patient rooms and transport supplies, medication, and linensthroughout the building. Robots can also be used to clean and disinfect the facilities.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
shrink
[ʃrɪŋk]
vt. & vi. 縮小
三態
shrink / shrank [ʃræŋk] / shrunk [ʃrʌŋk]
Cotton clothes usually shrink in the dryer.
棉質衣服烘乾後通常會縮小。
Hot water shrinks woolen clothes.
熱水會使毛線衣縮水。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
assistance
[əˋsɪstəns]
n. 協助
=
help
The needy family was grateful for the assistance given by their neighbors.
這個貧困的家庭對於鄰居給予的幫助感激不已。
We all came to John’sassistance when we learned that he was in trouble.
我們知道約翰有困難時就前來幫助他。
高中 Level 4
●
automation
[͵ɔtəˋmeʃən]
n. 自動化
英檢中高
●
retail
[ˋritel]
adv. 以零售方式
n. & vt. & vi. 零售
Many young people will gain early work experience in retail or in a restaurant.
許多年輕人會初步在零售業或餐廳獲得工作經驗。
Best Buy is a major chain in the US that retails home electronics and computer products.
百思買是美國主要的連鎖店，零售販賣家電和電腦產品。
This perfume retails at $50 a bottle, but you can buy it here for just $40.
這罐香水零售價是一瓶 50 美元，但在這裡買只要40美元。
Our store buys products from the factory and earns a profit by selling them at a higher retail price.
本店向工廠購買產品，再以較高的零售價出售它們以賺取利潤。
The stereo Trevor bought retail cost US$300, but it is on sale at a cheaper price online.
崔佛買的音響零售價為 300 美元，但現在網路上的特賣價更低。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
workload
[ˋwɝk͵lod]
n. 工作量
I have a heavy workload in the office almost every day.
我在辦公室的工作量幾乎天天都很大。
●
inventory
[ˋɪnvən͵torɪ]
n. . 存貨清單；存貨；盤點（存貨）
We made an inventory of everything in our
warehouse.
我們將倉庫裡的所有東西列了張清單。
Every month, we take an inventory of our stock in
the store.
每月我們都盤點店裡的存貨。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
sector
[ˋsɛktɚ]
n. (經濟的某一) 部門，領域，產業
COVID-19 has had a particularly big impact on the tourism and hospitality sectors.
新冠肺炎對旅遊和接待服務業的影響尤其大。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
hospitality
[͵hɑspɪˋtælətɪ]
n. . 好客
This is just a small present to thank you for your hospitality.
這只是一份小禮物，感謝你們的殷勤招待。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
inquiry
[ɪnˋkwaɪrɪ]
n. 詢問（與介詞 about 並用）；調查（與介詞 into 並用）
=
investigation
=
question
A family friend just rang up and made an inquiry about my father’s health.
一位家族朋友剛剛來電，詢問家父健康。
A family friend just rang up and made a query about my father’s health.
一位家族朋友剛剛來電，詢問家父健康。
The authorities concerned agreed to hold an inquiry / investigation into the plane crash.
有關當局同意對這起墜機事件展開調查。
高中 Level 5
●
medication
[͵mɛdɪˋkeʃən]
n. 藥物
The doctor advised Tim to take medication for his stomach ulcer.
醫師勸告提姆服藥以治療胃潰瘍。
高中 Level 5
●
disinfect
[͵dɪsɪnˋfɛkt]
vt. 消毒
Hospitals always disinfect rooms and medical instruments before using them.
醫院在使用房間和醫療器材前總是會先消毒。
●
facility
[fəˋsɪlətɪ]
n. 設施，設備（常用複數）
The facilities in that building are of the highest quality.
那棟建築物的設備品質棒極了。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
direct
[dəˋrɛkt]
adj. 直達的；直接的
adv. 直達地；直接地
vt. 為……指路；管理，領導
We took a direct plane to New York.
我們搭乘一班直達紐約的飛機。
The new manager will take direct control of the failing department.
新經理將直接接掌那已顯衰敗的部門。
This train goes direct to London.
這列火車直達倫敦。
James went direct to the president with his report.
詹姆士帶著他的報告直接去找了總裁。
A security guard directed us to the emergency exit.
一名警衛指引我們去緊急出口。
The manager chose Maggie to direct the part-time staff.
經理選擇了瑪姬來管理那些兼職員工。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
concierge
[ˌkanˈsɪɛrʒ]
n. (飯店)禮賓部
●
healthcare
[ ˈhɛlθˌkɛr ]
a. & n. 醫療保健（的）
●
linen
[ˋlɪnən]
n. 亞麻布
The shirt is made of linen and cotton.
這件襯衫是亞麻布和棉製成的。
The famous actress held a press conference to reveal her husband’s love affairs yesterday. It just meant washing her dirty linen in public.
這位知名女演員昨天舉行了記者會，揭露了她丈夫有外遇。這只是讓家醜外揚而已。
高中 Level 4
Practical Phrases
●
come into / in contact with...
接觸到……，碰到……
Because Jerry is a waiter, he comes into contact with people from all walks of life every day.
因為傑瑞是服務生，他每天都能接觸到各行各業的人。
●
be involved in...
涉入……
The evidence shows that Paul is involved in that murder.
證據顯示保羅涉入那起謀殺案。
●
in practice
事實上
= in reality
= in fact
●
keep track of...
隨時掌握……，持續追蹤……
It’s hard to keep track of all my old friends; in fact, I’ve lost contact with most of them. 和所有的老友保持聯繫很困難，事實上，我已經和他們大部分的人失聯了。
●
direct sb to + 地方
指引 / 告訴某人去某地的路
A security guarddirectedus to the emergency exit.
一名警衛指引我們去緊急出口。
