As if it were a science fiction movie, researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed robot faces covered with living human skin.
This was detailed in a study published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, which presents a new scenario in the integration of biological tissues with mechanical elements, but also a debate about the possible consequences.
A research team led by Shoji Takeuchi has achieved that the skin applied to robots not only gives them a more human appearance, but also has the ability to regenerate.
According to the scientists, they worked intensively on the integration of these tissues, using advanced technologies that allow living skin to adapt and remain stable on mechanical surfaces.
The possibility of using living human skin on robots opens up a number of possible applications that could change the way we work with technology.
According to the study This technology has the potential to revolutionize fields as diverse as plastic surgery.cosmetic industry and aging research.
In plastic surgery, for example, this living skin could be used to test new techniques and treatments with a higher level of realism and precision, reducing the error rate in procedures applied to human patients.
In the cosmetics industry, More effective products could be developed, tested directly on this living skin grown in robotswhich allows for a more accurate assessment of its impact and effectiveness.
The currently created skin allows bots to perform basic gestures such as smiling and frowning. But what’s really remarkable is that this skin has the ability to return to its original position without damage, thanks to the collagen gel that acts as a flexible glue.
Collagen gel offers not only durability, but also elasticity that mimics the natural properties of human skin, allowing for a wider range of motion without wear and tear.
Despite these advances, Takeuchi admits that replicating human facial expressions in their entirety still presents a significant challenge.
To achieve this, scientists will need to improve the incorporation of various biological components such as sweat and oil glands, blood vessels, nerves, fat and pores. These elements are necessary for the full functionality and realistic appearance of human skin.
The Japanese team’s progress has been documented in various videos that demonstrate how robot faces move using this lifelike skin.
The videos show robots making basic facial gestures in a surprisingly fluid and natural way, thanks to the integration of living human skin.
This visual development not only serves as proof of the success of the research, but also opens up a discussion about the ethical and practical implications of this type of invention.
It is important to note that although there are humanoid robots with advanced and realistic facial expressions, none of them use lab-made leather.
Current humanoid robots achieve their manifestations through a combination of synthetic materials and advanced mechanics, but lack the biological dynamism provided by living human skin.
For example, some have gained worldwide attention for their ability to perform realistic facial gestures. However, they use silicone skin and other artificial materials that, although very advanced, cannot fully replicate the regenerative properties and biomimicry of living human skin.
Research led by Shoji Takeuchi, represents an important advance that aims to take human-machine interaction to a new level of realism and fiction-like functionality.
In the coming years, we are likely to see an expansion of research and application of this technology in various fields, with a particular focus on improving the quality and functionality of living skin.
