For outside Any it. guide
A human mind is a very efficient super computer. It can process a LOT of information very quickly. Not all humans use their brains efficiently, but it doesn't matter. A human brain can still process a lot of information quickly.
You are right that the DARPA rules aren't unreasonable . . . for the purpose of the DARPA "race". The DARPA challenge is to create an autonomous weapon of some sort capable of self-locomotion and self-navigation. Because it is a WEAPON, it must operate alone without help from anything outside (because it is in enemy territory obviously, so it would have to MISTRUST anything outside trying to help to guide it, if such existed)
Now compare that with the challenge of building a self-driving car. The self-driving car doesn't have to operate with no contact with the world around it. While you theoretically could take any car into a hostile environment, your average commuter vehicle would encounter nothing more hostile than automated toll collection booths. As the car would be EXPECTED to follow certain paths (literally, any paved road), the roads themselves could be equipped to help guide the car.
But don't expect persons to equip the roads leading into their strongholds with sensors to guide a self-driven weapon into their midst. Now you see the difference, right? DARPA rules ARE unreasonable, if your goal is to build a self-driving car.
DARPA is looking for a very advanced form of self-driving vehicle, when a plain old ordinary commuter car that can drive itself hasn't even been invented yet. (DARPA is skipping a few intermediate, easier steps.) -Dave
