Jeff Yang at the San Francisco Chronicle wrote a nice piece about the different approaches to robots in the United States and Japan.

Quote:
"The contrast between the two most popular consumer robots in the world, America's Roomba and Japan's Aibo, tells you everything you need to know about the two cultures' respective feelings about thinking machines.
Roomba is utilitarian -- a smart and powerful tool but a tool nonetheless.
Sony's Aibo, on the other hand, is a pet, a companion, a life partner. Over time, as you care for it, it evolves a distinct personality -- and not always a pleasant one. "
Continue to the full story, which is a nice Friday afternoon read.

The photo shows the Sony QRIO, as I find the Humaniod robot fixation in Japan a big differentiator as well.
Jeff Yang also wrote about The otaku Community Grows and Goes Global.