There cannot be any objective study “today” about how our lives can be made easier, and less costly.
No one can predict exactly how our lives can/will be changed, but, there is no doubt that removing drivers from behind the wheel, especially those that are hampered by drugs and alcohol and smartphones and other distractions, would make our lives a lot less dangerous.
bTW, our lives would be made a lot less expensive by making cars that can drive themselves, in countless ways. Not having to own and maintain a vehicle, and not having to pay for auto insurance, does drive down the cost of living, for everybody. And that’s just one basic example of the “savings”; and like I said, there are numerous other ways.
As long as the benefits outweigh the negatives, most, or all studies will support driverless vehicles.
You’re right about the benefits of technology improving our lives, but go back to the example I cited. Loading up a car with $20,000 of extra technology and then telling me that I basically have to drive it myself anyway is not an improvement in any way. It’s not a driverless car, and the $20,000 in expensive gizmos just ain’t worth it until it IS a driverless car.