I agree with this somewhat. I don't think you need a von Neumann probe, but colonizing mars is dramatically easier if you can have semi-autonomous robots workin

I agree with this somewhat. I don't think you need a von Neumann probe, but colonizing mars is dramatically easier if you can have semi-autonomous robots working. At least enough to have on the ground or in orbit astronauts coordinating a lot more labor. Ideally they can handle up to 40 minute round trip delays, so the crew can be on earth. SpaceX is solving the big constraint right now: cheap high capacity transport. But I just don't see mars being colonized without considerable robotic labor. Elon would probably agree and say Tesla is doing a lot of pioneering work here (for it's factories and for autonomous cars).