But the problem is Uber's business plan is to replace drivers with autonomous vehicles ferrying passengers. i.e. take the driver cost out of the equation. Same goes for Waymo and others trying to enter/play in this game. It's always about monetization which kills/slows innovation.

Just highway-mode is not going to make a lot of money except in the trucking business and I bet they will succeed soon enough and reduce transportation costs. But passenger vehicles, not so much. May help in reducing fatigue related accidents but not a money making business for a multi-billion dollar company.

That being said, really sad for the victim in this incident.