Now we start to get creepy robotics. It will only get crazier every year from here.
In a groundbreaking development at the University of Tokyo, scientists have engineered a robot face that not only smiles but is also covered with self-healing, lab-grown human skin. This innovation aims to bridge the gap between robots and humans by giving machines more lifelike features and the ability to interact more naturally with people.
This fleshy, pink smiling face is made from living human skin cells, and was created as part of an experiment to let robots show emotion.
Read more 👉 https://t.co/JiV1VDEA45 pic.twitter.com/KlLtYPvwS7— New Scientist (@newscientist) June 25, 2024
The researchers created the skin using human skin cells that were cultivated on a collagen model and then placed atop a 3D-printed resin base, as reported by the New Scientist. This hybrid material was showcased in their recent publication in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science.
The primary goal of this project is to enhance robots used in sectors where human interaction is frequent, such as healthcare and personal assistance. “This living skin would be especially valuable for use in companion and humanoid robots, improving their integration into human environments,” explained Professor Shoji Takeuchi, the project’s lead researcher.
The skin itself possesses remarkable capabilities; it can repair its own tears and damages, mimicking the regenerative properties of human skin. This self-healing feature is enhanced by the skin’s ability to integrate sensory functions, which could eventually allow robots to detect touch and temperature changes.
Robot face with lab-grown skin created by scientists hoping to make more human-like cyborgshttps://t.co/cNri7VcgGf
Now that’s creepy! pic.twitter.com/Xe6CYdsUfg— Ryan sikorski (@Ryansikorski10) June 26, 2024
To attach the skin to the robot’s face, scientists used a technique involving “perforation-type anchors” which pierce the resin base, forming cavities that the tissue then fills. This method, according to Takeuchi, resembles the function of ligaments under human skin, providing a durable bond that accommodates the robot’s mechanical movements without the skin tearing or detaching.
While the synthetic skin has advanced significantly, it still falls short of perfectly mimicking human skin’s texture and appearance. “Our next steps involve creating a more human-like skin, complete with features like sweat glands, blood vessels, and even wrinkles, which we’ve already begun to simulate effectively,” Takeuchi noted. The team observed that when the robot maintained a smile over an extended period, the skin developed realistic expression lines, a discovery that holds potential benefits for the cosmetics industry in testing new products.
Robot face with lab-grown living skin created by scientists hoping to make more human-like cyborgs
A team of scientists unveiled a robot face covered with a delicate layer of living skin that heals itself and crinkles into a smile in hopes of developing more human-like cyborgs. pic.twitter.com/ReFHHN8gcT
— USA N.D TODAY (@t413p) June 25, 2024
Despite the progress, Takeuchi estimates that it could take another decade of research and development before robots equipped with this type of living skin are ready for regular interaction with humans. However, the team remains committed to transforming this concept into a tangible reality, potentially revolutionizing how robots serve in everyday human environments.
Major Points:
- Scientists at the University of Tokyo have developed a robot face that can smile and is covered with self-healing, lab-grown human skin, designed to make robots more lifelike.
- The skin, crafted from human cells on a collagen base atop a 3D-printed resin, can repair itself and might soon integrate sensory functions like touch and temperature.
- This technology is aimed at enhancing robots used in healthcare and personal assistance, where natural human interaction is crucial.
- The skin is attached to the robot using a method that mimics human ligaments, allowing durable and flexible movement without damage.
- While the technology is promising, researchers believe it may take up to 10 years of further development before it is ready for regular use in interactive robots.
Desmond Farmer– Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
