Because driverless cars have not been introduced or adopted by society in great numbers, it is difficult to assess the paradoxical effects that are going to happen. Nevertheless, one can still postulate some of these effects. For instance, one purpose of Google's driverless car is to increase safety on roads and reduce automobile accidents. This is achieved by limiting a need for user control, for statistics reveal that a majority of accidents are the result of human error. While Google's car seeks to eradicate these errors and positively affect society, the reliance and autonomy that is given to technology could result in more devastating issues. For instance, by placing the control of cars in the hands of the car's computer, these technologies leave vehicles at risk for being hacked and manipulated by foreign forces. This could ultimately give intruding parties control over vehicles. If their intent is malicious in nature, this could result in terrorists causing massive accidents, or other individuals, attempting to harm specific targets.
Moreover, these driverless cars have been constructed to minimize human error by taking control of vehicles; however, as we all have experienced, technology malfunctions too. Since Google's car requires users to rely on the technology at such a great degree, system failure could result in increased accidents and fatalities, whether it be because of the car's inability to properly operate itself or position itself correctly or because the "driver" was too preoccupied enjoying his or her freedom behind the wheel to recognize that the car's computer was no longer controlling the car. Furthermore, glitches could also cause these cars spontaneously navigate in undesired directions. Complications with satellites and out-of-date maps could also cause these complications. It is not uncommon for a GPS to provide incorrect our outdated directions. Turning at an inappropriate time or incorrect place could result in the car hitting a pedestrian or crashing into other structures. As one can see from the list of technologies associated with driverless cars, and Google's car, there is more than enough room for technological failure, which could result in increased safety risks.
Another purpose of the Google Driverless car is to create a more laid back and efficient atmosphere within the car. The technologies used by the car are supposed to promote the ability for drivers to experience ease while driving. Nevertheless, the adoption of the vehicle could essentially lead to individuals becoming worked up with the vast number of technologies that may need to be used at once. How much freedom can be given before one becomes bombarded by options? Google's car presents an opportunity for drivers to become stressed over the reliability of the car, the numerous gadgets and sounds that are produced by the vehicle, the multimedia sources presented, and the other individuals in the car. As one image depicted, Google's car would allow for a driver to become completely immersed in the company of other passengers, which can prove to be stressful and irritating. This could result in the driver attempting to assume control over the car in order to get to a destination faster or in a way that they desired, which would just reestablish the safety issues that the technology is supposed to address. These are just a few of the paradoxical effects that an be associated with Google's Driverless car and the technology in general. If these effects do occur, they will have been the result of inadequate attention being placed on potential safety risks; physical devices not working properly; incompatible software, hardware, Apps, and OS; lack of planning and designing for unexpected inputs or circumstances; confusing user interfaces, insufficient testing, reuse of outdated software, overconfidence in software, and careless design and development. However, technology shapes society in a larger context, and society technology, the likeliness of these effects occurring increases.
