In a groundbreaking development reminiscent of a science fiction novel, scientists from the University of Tokyo have succeeded in giving a bio-hybrid robot the ability to express a smile using living, lab-grown skin. By combining living tissue with an inorganic frame beneath the surface, the researchers have achieved three-dimensional movement in the small robot's pink face, allowing it to exhibit human-like expressions.
The team's machine engineering professor, Shoji Takeuchi, explained that this innovation represents a significant step forward in the creation of androids that closely resemble humans. Their goal is to continue improving the skin quality by incorporating features such as sweat glands, pores, and blood vessels, along with connecting it to muscles to enable various facial expressions. Previous work by the team involved developing a robotic finger with self-healing skin, but the challenge of connecting the skin to the robot's frame without visible anchors remained a hurdle in creating a lifelike appearance.
To address this issue, the researchers focused on mimicking human "skin ligaments," collagen structures found beneath the skin that link it to fasciae and bone. By drilling V-shaped holes into the robot's surface and filling them with a solution containing dermal cells, the skin tissue was able to bond with the robot body, creating a secure attachment similar to natural skin ligaments. This method allows for smoother and more realistic facial expressions, such as a smile that forms as the adhesive ligaments are manipulated, albeit with an uncanny appearance. The team plans on increasing the number of adhesive holes on the robot's face to expand the range of expressions, though they acknowledge the challenge of ensuring proper binding in smaller holes as their next milestone.