Hum, No physical robot that I'm aware of has ever evolve as we use the word. We so far design machines. Currently people in general far out pass robots at any generalized task. Besides what are Robots for? To serve man! What did we make cameras? So we could show other humans images of things, places and people! Why do we send rovers to Mars? So we can go there ourselves in reasonable safety!

Till they take over robots are tools of man!

The problem with Rees' idea (not original to him, btw) is no Millionaire is stepping up to the plate to bat. And it is possible non will. If you wait till rich people think it's a good idea we will all be dead! Then again sometime humanities impatience is not an asset.

Some things just do take time and maybe we belong in LEO for awhile...