Scientists in Japan have developed a robot face covered with living skin that can smile, marking an important step toward creating more lifelike humanoid robots. The research was led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi and his team at the University of Tokyo's Biohybrid Systems Laboratory.
The team attached laboratory-grown living skin to a 3D robotic face using tiny perforation-style anchors inspired by the natural ligaments that connect human skin. This method keeps the skin firmly attached while allowing the robot's face to move naturally without damaging the tissue. In demonstrations, the robot was able to smile, and the researchers also covered a robotic finger with living skin that could bend smoothly and even flick small objects.
One of the biggest advantages of using living skin is that it has the ability to heal itself after minor damage, unlike traditional artificial materials that require repairs or replacement.
The technology is still in its early stages. Scientists are now working on adding blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and sensory tissues so the skin can survive for longer periods and function more like real human skin. Beyond robotics, this breakthrough could also improve medical research by helping scientists develop better skin grafts, wound-healing treatments, and more realistic models for testing new medicines in the future.
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