orcot...these so called "simple" tasks you describe are in actuality very complex.
Yes I agree they are inmensly complex however it's now 2008 and the first mannend mission to mars will happen no sooner then 2030 (it has been delayed multiple times and 2040 is not impossible). That leaves us 22 years minimum.
Now if you track that back it really is comparing vista with MS-DOS 3.2 (okay XP was better but I really can see computers getting worse).
Keep this in mind please, the advances of electronics are overwhelming at this point the military are developing (better) unmannend planes while the japanese make fun household robots that can assist the elderly (something that might even proof crucial for the near future).
Also note that afther scientist have some experience in automatision for vehicles on mars both soyouner and the rovers are pretty manual but especially those rovers are seting up the science for nasa's next science laboratory. So NASA will have some experience with delayed remote controled semi independable machines on Mars
I'm not saying that we will get AI anytime soon but these as of yet "impossible" tasks are a going to become a reality pretty soon.
And as for the reason why?
As for now scientists speak abouth mars missions some astronauts get up go to mars look around for a couple of months at best and return to earth the payload penalty is to massive for colonisation. Machines require no return ticket and the extra weight can be used to deliver tons of extra hardware to the surface that could be used to build a base for permanent settlement.
Ask yourself is colonisation possible by sending thin cans for x year in a row. How much can you put on the surface and leave behind for the next lander to use.
It would be nise when the first settlers arrive mars already has a domed in area of multiple km with if not selfsustaining enviroment, a enviroment that can recup it's losses from the martian surface and most importantly where they can stay until they die. Face it without such structures there never will be a colonisation