Bio-Hybrid Robot Smiles with Living Skin, Bringing Androids Closer to Reality

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Bio-Hybrid Robot Smiles with Living Skin, Bringing Androids Closer to Reality

A Bio-Hybrid Robot Smiles with Living Skin

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of robotics, successfully creating a bio-hybrid robot with living, lab-grown skin that can smile. This development brings androids, humanoid robots, closer to reality.

The team's technique involves binding living tissue to an inorganic frame using a method that mimics human skin ligaments. These ligaments are mesh-like, fibrous collagen structures that lie beneath the dermis, connecting skin to fasciae and bone. By replicating this structure, the researchers were able to create a smooth, realistic facial expression on the robot.

To achieve this, they drilled multiple V-shaped holes into the robot's surface and applied a solution containing dermal cells to the holes. The skin tissue then gelled and hardened, binding the robot body and the cultured skin together. Moving these adhesive ligaments causes the corners of the robot's mouth to rise in a smile.

The researchers aim to increase the variety of robot expressions by increasing the number of adhesive holes on its face. However, they face the challenge of ensuring the solution seeps in and binds properly in smaller holes.

This breakthrough marks a significant step towards creating robots that look and behave more like humans. The team's findings have been published in the academic journal Cell Reports Physical Science.