Japan scientists attach living skin to robot faces for more natural smile
Researchers from Japan managed to attach living skin to robot faces in a bid to create a more natural smile and other facial expressions.
The researchers, in their study published in the open-access journal Cell Reports Physical Science, said they took inspiration from human skin and copied its tissue structure.
The artificial skin is made in a laboratory using living cells. It's said to be soft and has "self-healing capabilities inherent in biological skin," according to the study.
The scientists explained that in humans, the skin is predominantly composed of collagen and elastin, anchoring it to the underlying tissues to enable fluid facial expressions and bodily motions.
They copied that structure, drilling holes into the robot and applying a special gel onto and into the holes.
"By mimicking this structure, our method offers a less restrictive placement by eliminating the drawbacks of the conventional protrusion anchors and maintaining the robot’s aesthetic integrity," they said.
Past attempts to create skin for robots proved to be unsuccessful. The researchers used mini hooks to attach the skin but damaged it as the robot moved.
The technology may take years of testing before becoming an everyday reality.
The study said its findings can be used in the cosmetics and orthopedic surgery industry.
Moreover, it "can offer insights into the physiological aspects of emotion, leading to new exploration in the treatment of diseases, such as facial paralysis surgery."