Human Skin on Robots: Advancements in Human-Machine Integration

Japanese scientists have found a way to put human skin on robots' smiling faces.

Japanese scientists have found a way to put living human skin on the face of robots.Photo byTakeuchi, et al./Cell.com

To demonstrate the application of such an accomplishment, researchers with the University of Tokyo grew human skin cells in the shape of a face. The scientific team then pulled the skin into the shape of a face to demonstrate the skin's ligament-like attachment.

Minghao Nie, a researcher of University of Tokyo shows a face mold covered in human skin tissue at his lab in Tokyo, July 12, 2024Photo byReuters

According to Reuters, this presentation is the culmination of a decades worth of research seeking to combine human machines and biology. A big attraction in this cellular innovation is that the live tissue may be self-reparable, like human skin; unlike silicone or other polyurethane alternatives.

The head scientist on the project, Shoji Takeuchi, found a way to not only create human-like skin that can be attached to robots but also manipulate the skin on the face of the robot. Takeuchi said integrating the human skin on robots can make the process seem less creepy to the general public. The uncanny valley references the creepy feeling people have when proposing humanoid robot conception.

The image demonstrates how anchors and actuators help the dermis (pink) stay attached to the frame of a face structure while smiling (right)Photo byTakeuchi, et al./Cell.com

Through anchors, actuators and sensor, the robot skin can be made to smile and remain cohesive.

According to Reuters, Takeuchi acknowledged about the robot,

"There's still a bit of that creepiness to it. I think that making robots out of the same materials as humans and having them show the same expressions might be one key to overcoming the uncanny valley."

The development of the skin plans to impact research towards cosmetics and drugs absorbed through the skin. The endgame for such a development is putting skin on humanoid robots. Next for Takeuchi and his team of Japanese researchers are to create a vascular system to accommodate the skin they've created. Takeuchi suggests that it is ideal to create humanoid robots out of human material.