Google Company has a massive research and development department that undertakes projects with a forward-looking approach. The company devotes substantial funds into researches that pinpoint to the future. Among the many projects that Google is researching on include the self-driving automobile, Google contacts, Google Glass, Project Wing (a drone delivery project) and Home Automation and Smart. The self-driving automobile is inspired by Google maps hence in providing directions, Google seeks to develop cars that can use the same platform to deliver people and goods to various locations. On the other hand, Google contacts incorporates a wide range of features to enable users to manage their contacts databases. The Google glass project presents the user with numerous functions similar to a smartphone without the use of hands. On its part, the drone technology is tailored to enable the drones to make deliveries of all manner of goods. On the other hand, the Home Automation project seeks to automate the gadgets used in day to day activities such as refrigerators, light bulbs and others electronics to improve the home experience.
Self-Driving Automobile
The self-driving car technology is a massive project that utilizes Advanced Driver Assist Systems together with advanced sensors and integrating software to facilitate automobiles to watch and make appropriate responses to their settings. Moreover, the technology includes advanced driving capabilities such as adaptive cruise control, warning systems, back-up alerts, lane keeping as well as parking assistance ( Novak, 2016) . However, some challenges that Google could face in implementing this technology include the inability of the technology to accurately interpret the human behavior and signals. A different challenge is the cost of the overall technology that could be out of reach by most consumers. Another challenge is weather changes such as snow which covers lane markers that the self-driving cars need to keep driving safely. Similarly, the progressively changing infrastructure means that some roads may not be in Google maps. As such, self-driving cars may be lost in the new road and hence pose a safety concern.
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In addressing these challenges, Google needs to explore some potential solutions. One of the solutions is engineering technology that decodes all forms of human behavior and gestures. This way, the self-driving cars will manage to interpret the traffic control and other commands issued by human beings in forms of gestures. Moreover, progressively updating Google maps could help the vehicles to cover every road without being lost assistance ( Novak, 2016). In handling weather changes, Google could ensure that the map system has all the dimensions of roads incorporated in the vehicle’s system. Thus, despite weather changes, the self-driving vehicles will manage to cruise the highways safely.
The self-driving automobile comes with potential positive and negative impacts on society. The positive impacts include having a massive reduction in traffic congestion, improved fuel efficiency, reduced vehicle carbon emissions improved productivity, and dependable travel times. On the other hand, potential negative impacts include the loss of employment by individuals working as drivers in the transportation sector, potential compromise on personal mobility data and reduction in industries such as the steel industries.
Google contacts
Google contacts is a tool for managing one’s contacts database and features in the e-mail service, Gmail. Some of its features include; contacts sorting and categorization, in depth contact searches, merging duplicate contacts, streamlined handling, contact export and import features and integration to other products from Google (X website). As the project has already been released for public use, a major challenge was in the image features that had low resolution capabilities. However, with the upgraded version, the problem has been solved. As other problems crop up, Google team will be on the look out to respond promptly.
In terms of impacts, Google contacts has potential impacts of making contacts easily exported to other accounts such as linked in, Facebook and so on. It also enables creation of groups of individuals that one communicates with frequently thus saving time. On the negative side, Google contacts has been confusion across users regarding the other platforms such as Gmail, Google apps and smartphones. However, Google is solving the issue by creating links in all platforms to connect to Google contacts.
Google Glass
Google Glass uses computer technology including an optical display a camera, a touch sensitive pad and a speaker. The device lets the user conduct multiple tasks without taking attention off from things in front of the user or needing to pick phone calls. Due to its high tech capabilities, the price of Google glass is high and thus beyond reach of most people (Feng et al., 2014). Moreover, since the project is in its trial period, availability is a big challenge for those who may wish to try out the technology. In overcoming these challenges, Google could ensure that the product is well priced to suit most customers. Additionally, they could develop various categories with different pricing for consumers to choose. The challenge on availability will be solved after the technology has completed its testing and is authorized for mass production. This technology has positive impacts on the society as it will enable individuals to multitask while keeping their attention. For instance, students will be able to take notes while still viewing PowerPoint presentations on the board. On the negative side, the technology is likely to cause over-reliance and hence cripple human functionality without the glass.
Project Wing
Through its research laboratory, Google is building drones intended to bypass traffic on the ground to enable faster deliveries of packages to people (X website). However, the project has encountered disapproval from individuals concerned with privacy as the drones have the ability to record videos and take photographs secretly. This challenge can only be overcome by either eliminating the capabilities or attaching a strict privacy policy to prevent secret video recordings. As the project seeks to make faster deliveries, positive impacts include; expansion of online sales and deliveries, rapid delivery of supplies to areas hit by disasters and promotion of e-commerce. On the other hand, the drones could impact air traffic and hence require special capabilities to avoid collisions.
Home Automation
Home automation technology connects all home appliances to the owner’s cellphone, giving them control whether inside or outside the home (X website). The major challenge with this technology is the customization features as different platforms use different software. In overcoming these challenges, Google could collaborate with other companies to provide the standard software for use in home automation. As the technology is already in course, positive future impacts include effective energy use, improved detection of leakages and timely supply of items before they run out. On the other hand, negative impacts arise with security concerns. Notably, the devices used for home automation may present security threats as device vulnerabilities present in the operating system.
The Google research department has numerous cutting edge technologies in progress. All these projects seek to simplify the day to day life as the products could be used at home, at the workplace or in other settings. Of great importance is the self-driving car that could improve human productivity and reduce traffic congestion. All in all, these technologies face challenges that Google has to look into to ensure that their objectives are realized.
References
Feng, L., Li, H., Lv, Z., & Feng, S. (2014, November). Hand-free motion interaction on Google glass.
Novak, V. (2016). Google self-driving car .
Projects under research in Google X. X official website . Retrieved on July 29, 2017 from https://x.company/projects/
