Scientists have created a robot face covered with living skin similar to that of humans as they work towards developing a cyborg that can heal and feel.
The skin was grown in a laboratory by researchers at the University of Tokyo, who believe it could be used to create more realistic humanoid machines.
“This living skin would be particularly useful for robots that interact closely with humans, such as healthcare, service, companion and humanoid robots, where human-like functions are needed,” said Professor Shoji Takeuchi, who led its development.
So far, the lab-grown skin has been attached to a simple robot face capable of smiling. “The skin can repair itself if damaged, similar to how human skin heals wounds,” he said. “And integrating sensory functions like touch and temperature detection is more feasible with living tissue.”
The lab-grown skin consists of two main types of cells: dermal cells, which make up the lower layer, and epidermal cells, which form the outer layer. “The dermal cells are cultured first to create the base, and then the epidermal cells are added on top to form the complete skin structure,” Takeuchi said.
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The living tissue is then attached to the robot using a newly devised method where small V-shaped holes are created on the robot’s surface. These are filled using a collagen gel that acts like a glue, helping the skin adhere securely.
“This method mimics the natural skin ligaments structure in human skin,” Takeuchi said. “It creates a smooth, strong bond between the skin and the robot … The natural flexibility of the skin and the strong method of adhesion mean the skin can move with the mechanical components of the robot without tearing or peeling away.” He also thinks the skin could be used to test cosmetics and drugs.
Takeuchi leads the Biohybrid Systems Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, which has also created mini robots that walk using biological muscle tissue, 3D-printed lab-grown meat and “engineered skin” that can heal.
He concedes that his team’s lab-grown skin doesn’t yet resemble the real thing very closely. “We’ve identified new challenges, such as the necessity for surface wrinkles and a thicker epidermis to achieve a more human-like appearance,” he said. “We believe that creating a thicker and more realistic skin can be achieved by incorporating sweat glands, sebaceous glands, pores, blood vessels, fat and nerves.”
However, he said he believed technical hurdles had been cleared. “Manipulating soft, wet biological tissues during the development process is much harder than people outside the field might think. For instance, if sterility is not maintained, bacteria can enter and the tissue will die,” he said. “Now that we can do this, living skin can bring a range of new abilities to robots.”
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He added: “It may take up to ten years of research and development before living skin can be used by robots that interact with people regularly. However, we are making progress, and with continued efforts, this vision could become a reality within the next decade.”
In 2019, the UK government announced an investment of £34 million in robots for adult social care. One of the machines it highlighted at the time was Pepper, a child-sized “semi-humanoid bot” that can lead exercise routines and games in care homes.
