Robots with human-like exteriors have been a long-standing concept, but a recent experiment has taken it to a whole new level. In a study published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, researchers from the University of Tokyo and Harvard have developed a method for attaching living skin to the mechanical foundation of a robot’s limb or face.
The key question the researchers sought to answer was how to create a living tissue surface that could cling closely to an artificial substrate while also being manipulated without tearing or unintended distortion. In humans and animals, the skin is anchored to underlying muscle and tissue through a network of ligaments. The researchers aimed to replicate this system in their experiment.
The result? A “dermis equivalent” that is undeniably creepy but also well-moisturized. While the current iteration may be nightmare-inducing, its purpose is not to be realistic or beautiful. It serves as an illustration of a potential method for attaching living tissue to robotic undercarriages.
Skin-covered robots have the potential to perform a range of useful functions beyond their ability to infiltrate the past and destroy humanity’s future, as depicted in movies like Terminator. Cultured skin can heal itself and carry biological sensors, enabling sensitive touch. Additionally, it could have significant applications in medical and human interaction contexts.
However, for these benefits to be realized, the skin must remain alive on the robot’s surface and be able to move around in the same way our own skin does during everyday use. The paper presents a working method for attachment and manipulation that could potentially be used on, or as, a face.
While this experiment is still in its early stages and far from being incorporated into practical applications, it raises intriguing possibilities for the future of robotics. The development of robots with living skin could revolutionize fields such as healthcare, prosthetics, and human-robot interaction. As technology continues to advance, we may see more sophisticated versions of these skin-covered robots that blur the line between man and machine.
