Scientists have created living human skin on a robot that is waterproof and can self-heal.
Scientists want robot as human-like as possible so that they are easy to relate to, which is especially important when they are used in the service and healthcare industries.
The researchers believe that raw skin is the solution to giving robots the look and feel of being alive.
To create the skin, the researchers embedded a robotic finger in human collagen and dermal fibroblasts – two key components that make up the skin’s connective tissues.
Shoji Takeuchi, a professor at the University of Tokyo, said: “The finger looks a bit ‘sweat’ looking straight out of the culture.
“Since the finger is controlled by an electric motor, it is also interesting to hear the click of the motor in harmony with a lifelike finger.”
While the current silicone skin made for robots can mimic the appearance of a human, it doesn’t have finer details like wrinkles and can’t behave like human skin.
One of the difficulties in creating living skins to cover robots is fitting them to moving objects with uneven surfaces.
“With that method, you have to have the hands of a skilled craftsman who can cut and sew leather panels,” said Professor Takeuchi.
“To effectively cover surfaces with skin cells, we established a tissue molding method that directly molds the skin tissue around the robot, resulting in a seamless overlay of skin on a single finger. robots.”
The development has given the robotic finger a skin-like texture. Photo: PA
According to Professor Takeuchi, the success lies in the natural tendency of this mixture of collagen and fibroblasts to contract, which shrinks and adheres to the finger.
This layer also provides a uniform base for the next layer of human cells to adhere to.
These cells make up 90% of the skin’s outermost layer, giving the robot its skin-like texture and moisture barrier properties.
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The skin is crafted to be stretchy enough to move as the robotic finger flexes and stretches, can be lifted with tweezers, repels water, and can even self-heal with the help of collagen bandages.
“We were surprised by how well the skin tissue conforms to the surface of the robot,” said Professor Takeuchi.
“I think raw skin is the optimal solution to help robots see and touch living things because it is exactly like the material that covers an animal’s body.”
The study was published in the journal Matter.
