The ATOPS program research into airplane systems showed that new technology could make significant improvements in the safety and efficiency of flight operations. The research also underscored, however, that manufacturers looked at the potential risks associated with new technology as much as they looked at its potential benefits. If the risks were low, the technology would probably find ready acceptance. But if some level of risk remained, or if there was not enough of a driving economic benefit to balance out the risk, the technology might not be as easily adopted, especially by the major industry manufacturers.