Why would we bother to make them humanoid. You'd just have a machine that constructed the appropriate item. Whether it was a fast food shop or a watch shop, you're item would be built on demand in a machine, like a 3d ink jet printer.
As far as replacing the service industry... in some areas yes, but in others like restaurants, I think you'd have people serving you but these fabrication machines would replace the kitchen.
Slashdot Mirror
Why would we bother to make them humanoid. You'd just have a machine that constructed the appropriate item. Whether it was a fast food shop or a watch shop, you're item would be built on demand in a machine, like a 3d ink jet printer.
As far as replacing the service industry... in some areas yes, but in others like restaurants, I think you'd have people serving you but these fabrication machines would replace the kitchen.