Sharp's humanoid robot to guide tourists in taxis in Kyoto

I thought the robot was the one holding the "puppet." I stand corrected, but have seen the true humanoid robots (android/gynoid)

Why speak to a human when an expensive machine is ready to do the same job!

The cost doesn't make any sense. Why is it so much more expensive if several people use it? According to this, if one person uses the robot, it will cost 7000 yen for that person. If that person is joined by 2 of his/her friends, that price will jump up to 12000-18000 yen. Unless that means that each person gets their own robot.

Cute little fella. Domo Arigato, Mister Roboto.