Scientists create living skin to make robots more like humans

Japanese scientists found a way to attach living skin to faces of robots for more realistic smiles and other facial expressions.

The advance occurred by copying human tissue structures, according to researchers at the University of Tokyo.

The disclosed prototype may look more like a candy than a human being.

But scientists say the breakthrough paves the way for creating realistic and convincing mobile humanoids, with self-healing skin that doesn’t tear or tear easily.

artificial skin It is made in the laboratory using living cells.

Not only is it soft, like real skin, but it can also repair itself if there is a cut, researchers say.

Previous attempts to attach skin to robots have proven difficult.

The team tried using mini hooks, but these damaged the skin when the robot moved.

In humans, the skin is attached to underlying structures by ligaments: small cords of flexible collagen and elastin.

To recreate this, the researchers drilled numerous small holes in the robot and filled them with a gel containing collagen. They then placed the artificial skin layer on top.

The gel covers the holes and holds the skin to the robot.

Plastic surgery

“By mimicking the structures of human skin and ligaments, and using specially made V-shaped perforations in solid materials, we found a way to attach skin to complex structures,” said lead researcher Shoji Takeuchi.

“The natural flexibility of the skin and the strong method of adhesion mean that the skin can move with the mechanical components of the robot, without tearing or peeling.”

The advance was published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science.

The researchers point out that many more years of testing will still be needed so that this technology becomes an everyday reality.

“Another important challenge is to create human-like expressions by integrating sophisticated actuators or muscles within the robot,” Professor Takeuchi added.