[lmr]

You can have robots do work and they don’t have to look human. As a matter of fact, robots already do work and the best of them look nothing like us. Androids are nothing more than the logical extension of our vanity.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Again, the Japanese have identified a market wherein acceptance of robots by the human marketplace depends on their humanoid appearance. Homecare, hospital work, assistance of the elderly, human service, etc. The Japanese are working off a business model and that model has identified a value (a rather large value actually) that derives from a comfortable humanoid appearance.

Vanity is not a part of the equation unless perhaps the target market is pornography...and then instead of vanity, the ingredient is probably heightened stimulation.

BTW, I feel somewhat comfortable is suggesting that the "humanoid companion" market has been taken into account in Japanese thinking vis-a-vis robots.