“Robots with Living Skin Can Now Smile – What Does This Mean for the Future?”

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a groundbreaking technology that allows humanoid robots to have fleshy faces capable of smiling. The innovation involves using engineered living skin tissue and human-like ligaments to create a more natural and lifelike appearance for robots.

Professor Shoji Takeuchi, the leader of the research team, explained that the goal of the study was to replicate human appearance by creating a face with the same surface material and structure as humans. The researchers identified new challenges in the process, such as the need for surface wrinkles and a thicker epidermis to achieve a more humanlike appearance.

The approach not only promises to make robots more lifelike but also opens up possibilities for similar techniques to be used in the cosmetics and plastic surgery industries for humans. The findings of the study were published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science.

To achieve the lifelike appearance, the researchers developed a method of binding living skin tissue to a robotic skeleton. A layer of collagen gel containing cultured human dermal fibroblasts is used to connect the skin to the robotic structure through tiny V-shaped perforations. This innovative system allows the skin to move with the underlying structure without tearing or peeling, enabling a better range of motion and more humanlike expressions.

The Biohybrid Systems Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, led by Professor Takeuchi, has a history of engineering innovative biological systems, including self-healing skin, robots with biological muscle tissue, and lab-grown meat. The latest work on living skin opens up possibilities for further advancements, such as incorporating nerves and other skin organs for sensing and self-repair capabilities.

The researchers emphasized the importance of robots having the ability to heal and self-repair, as even minor scratches could lead to serious impairments. Future projects could explore adding sensors, pores, sweat glands, and fat to make biomimetic robots even more realistic. The team envisions incorporating more sophisticated actuators and cultured muscle tissue to enable robots to move in fluid, humanlike ways.

While the current robot cannot feel its face, the researchers believe that their approach could lead to significant advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence. By creating robots with more humanlike features and capabilities, the technology could revolutionize various industries and potentially provide insights into human physiology and behavior.