Japanese Scientists Make Robots "Smile" With Living Skin
Japanese scientists have made a significant breakthrough by attaching living skin tissue to robotic faces, enabling them to smile and make other facial expressions.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo, led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi, developed this technology by mimicking human tissue structures. The team grew human skin cells in the shape of a face and attached them to robots using collagen and dermal fibroblasts, creating a flexible and self-repairing skin that can move with the robot without tearing.
The project, a decade in the making, aims to overcome the "uncanny valley" effect, where robots almost look human, causing a sense of discomfort for those who see them. By embedding ligament-like attachments and using a gel containing collagen to tether the skin to the robot, the researchers achieved a durable and realistic interface.
The living skin not only adds a lifelike appearance but also holds potential for safer testing platforms for cosmetics and drugs and for more realistic and functional robot coverings.
One of the major challenges was finding a way to keep the skin attached to the robot without damaging it. By drilling small holes into the robot and using a collagen gel to plug these holes, the skin could adhere securely. This method allows the skin to flex and move with the robot's mechanical components, maintaining a natural look and function.
Professor Takeuchi's team aims to enhance the skin further by adding a circulatory system and nerves, which could improve its responsiveness to environmental stimuli. This could make the technology useful not only in robotics but also in research on skin ageing, cosmetics, and surgical procedures, including plastic surgery.
Yifan Wang from Nanyang Technological University, who specialises in "soft robots," highlighted the exciting potential for this technology to enhance robots' sensing capabilities. By using biological skin, robots could achieve similar sensory functions to human skin, improving their interaction with the environment.
While the technology is still years away from everyday use, it represents a promising step towards creating more lifelike and functional robots. The researchers are optimistic that continued advancements will eventually lead to robots that can mimic human expressions and interactions more convincingly.
