The technology malfunctions and a robot played by Yul Brynner turns deadly, a theme reprised with dinosaurs in another Crichton sci-fi tale, Jurassic Park.
The abrupt rollout in San Francisco and subsequent suspensions has led some California drivers to question whether Uber will toss them aside when the technology malfunctions or drivers aren't properly trained and make a mistake.
At a Senate hearing on computerized trading last Thursday, one market analyst called for a moratorium on the new trading venues that have popped up in recent years, while traders on the panel recommended mandatory kill switches that could be flipped in case of technology malfunctions.
Technology malfunctions, too, can lead to some sticky situations.
The technology can malfunction, spoiling a patron's visit".
But there is certainly no shortage of malfunctioning technology when it comes to digital media.
A cyberpunk jungle of patched-up, malfunctioning technology - the sort of thing Terry Gilliam dreamed up for his 1985 film, Brazil?
