Scientists at Tokyo University have created a living skin tissue that can be attached to a humanoid robot, giving it the ability to express realistic facial expressions. The team used cultured human skin cells to create the soft and self-healing tissue in a lab. This groundbreaking research paves the way for more durable and less prone to tearing skin.
The study, published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, describes how the skin is attached to the robot using collagen and elastane ropes. This makes it more elastic, preventing the skin from breaking as the robot moves. Lead researcher Prof Shoji Takeuchi explains that mimicking human skin-ligament structures and using V-shaped perforations in solid materials allowed them to bind the skin to complex structures, enabling it to move with the robot without tearing.
Although it will take years of testing before this technology is commercially available, its potential applications are vast. It could revolutionize how robots interact with humans and lead to advancements in various fields such as cosmetics and plastic surgery. As Prof Takeuchi says, “This innovation has significant implications for both robotics and bioengineering.”