I actually think Captain 12 looks like a Hollow in a funny hat rather than a robot.

For the instantly healing issue, so far at least, Ichigo has not once gone on to the next fight without some form of third party aid after all the injuries he recieves. 1. He borrowed Ikakku's salve. 2. Hanataro healed him after he fought Renji. 3. Yoruichi picked him up and let him heal in the hiding place after he fought Kenpachi. 4. He broke his wounds open again and Yoruichi stabbed him, and he healed at her place again.
Yes, and I'm saying thats just like DBZ also. DBZ either used beans or Dende. Everytime someone got their ass kicked, another of the good guys would show up and engage the bad guy, and while said bad guy is fighting the newcomer, the guy who got his ass beat would either pop a bean or have Dende sneak up an heal him.

It works pretty much the same in Bleach. Several characters that don't serve any real purpose except keeping the main characters fighting fit.