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gap between fiction and reality
Meaning: The difference between imagined scenarios and actual situations.
Example: The gap between fiction and reality in space travel is narrowing with new technology.
klutzy kid
Meaning: A child who is clumsy or awkward.
Example: As a klutzy kid, he often tripped over his own shoelaces.
silver bullet
Meaning: A simple, perfect solution to a complex problem.
Example: There is no silver bullet for climate change — it requires many strategies.
sweet spot
Meaning: The most effective or advantageous point or condition.
Example: The sweet spot for learning is when tasks are challenging but achievable.
train itself
Meaning: To learn or improve without external guidance, often through repetition or simulation.
Example: The AI system can train itself by analyzing millions of examples.
Note: Phrasal verb — common in machine learning contexts.
dreaming about grasping
Meaning: A metaphor for simulating or imagining practice to improve performance.
Example: The robot was described as dreaming about grasping objects to learn better.
clear the table / clear the bins
Meaning: To remove items completely from a surface or container.
Example: After dinner, she cleared the table before washing the dishes.
Note: Phrasal verb — used literally and metaphorically for completing tasks.
not quite there yet
Meaning: Still in progress, not fully achieved.
Example: The prototype works, but it’s not quite there yet for mass production.
be patient
Meaning: To wait calmly without frustration.
Example: Be patient — good results take time.
robots need us
Meaning: A metaphor emphasizing that human skills are still essential despite technological advances.
Example: Even with automation, robots need us to handle tasks they cannot yet perform.
Moravec's paradox
IPA: /ˈmɒr.ə.vɛks ˈpær.ə.dɒks/ (UK), /ˈmɔːr.ə.vɛks ˈpær.ə.dɑːks/ (US)
Meaning: The observation that tasks easy for humans (like perception and mobility) are hard for robots, while tasks hard for humans (like complex calculations) are easy for robots.
Meaning: The observation that tasks easy for humans (like perception and mobility) are hard for robots, while tasks hard for humans (like complex calculations) are easy for robots.
Example: Moravec’s paradox explains why stacking blocks is harder for robots than lifting heavy objects.
parallel jaw gripper
IPA: /ˈpær.ə.lɛl dʒɔː ˈɡrɪp.ər/ (UK & US)
Meaning: A simple robotic hand with two fingers that move in parallel to grasp objects.
Meaning: A simple robotic hand with two fingers that move in parallel to grasp objects.
Example: The parallel jaw gripper is lightweight, reliable, and inexpensive compared to complex robot hands.
LiDAR
IPA: /ˈlaɪ.dɑːr/ (UK & US)
Meaning: A sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create 3D maps of environments.
Meaning: A sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create 3D maps of environments.
Example: LiDAR cameras helped robots build three-dimensional models of their surroundings.
Other Listening Exercises
Why Don’t We Have Better Robots Yet?
In progressB1 · 12:10