Robots Develop Living “Skin” That Can be Grinning
Photo Credit (Pixels)
IWould you be less uncomfortable with a smiling face on a humanoid robot if you find them unsettling?
This frightening achievement is the product of cutting-edge technology developed by experts from the University of Tokyo. They have created a realistic-looking smile for robots by using artificial living skin tissue and ligaments similar to those of humans.
In a press release, the study’s lead scientist, Professor Shoji Takeuchi, said, “”””In this study, we succeeded in partially replicating the human appearance by crafting a face with the same surface material and structure as that of humans.””” He added that the procedure highlighted new challenges, like the need for surface wrinkles and a thicker epidermis, in order to obtain a genuinely human appearance.A team from the University of Tokyo believes that their new method of affixing organic skin tissue to a robotic frame would enable more lifelike expressions and improved movement. Using this technique, a layer of collagen gel with tiny V-shaped holes filled with human dermal fibroblasts—a type of connective tissue cell—is applied to a robotic skeleton. Consequently, the skin is able to move in unison with the underlying structure without breaking or detaching. The robot’s muscles are propelled by actuators, allowing it to grin and carry out other functions.
Takeuchi is in charge of the Biohybrid Systems Laboratory, which has already created self-healing skin, tiny robots powered by biological muscle tissue, and 3D-printed lab-grown flesh. He sees a lot of promise in the ongoing development of living skin.
“””It’s crucial for self-healing. Takeuchi stated that although some chemically based materials are self-repairing, they are not able to divide like cells and are instead reliant on external stimuli such as pressure or heat.”” Contrarily, biological skin can heal small wounds just like human skin can, and it can also include extra elements for sensing and other purposes, such as nerves and other skin organs.”” “”
The researchers emphasized how important it is that robots be able to repair themselves because even minor damage might lead to major issues.
Takeuchi projected that future biomimetic robots will be much more lifelike since they will have thicker skin, sensors, pores, and possibly even sweat glands and fat. According to the team’s study, this discovery might provide insight into how human wrinkles form. Moreover, future techniques may enable robots to move fluidly and human-like through the use of ever-more-advanced actuators and, eventually, manufactured muscle tissue.
The robot currently shares the same category as Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, who wrote a song about a similar situation, in that it is unable to feel its own face. Not very long ago, technology allowed a US president to lip-synch to the singer’s songs, which made us all laugh.
