A VIDEO showcasing the world’s first robot face carved from human flesh put on a very sinister smile.
Japanese scientists have found a way to bind engineered skin tissue to humanoid robots.
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Taking inspiration from human skin ligaments, the team included special perforations in a robot face, which helped a layer of skin take hold.
The scientists, led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi of the University of Tokyo, claim the breakthrough could bring more mobility to robots, some of which can already move without a human.
The chilling images come after leading technology experts told The Sun why AI replacing human jobs may not be bad news.
Although they suspect jobs could change dramatically, there should still be room for humans in the workplace.
Speaking at NewsCorp’s Women in Tech Conference in New York, technology strategist Elizebeth Varghese said: “I think right now, I do believe that jobs will be transformed.
“I do believe that there will be many more new jobs that are unheard of. I mean we already see that with social media content creators.”
She added: “I do believe the life cycle of jobs is going to transform and will transform every three months but I do believe there will be jobs for everyone.”
The professor’s team say their research, published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, could help with cosmetics and surgery training.
Prof Takeuchi’s lab, the Biohybrid Systems Laboratory, has created mini robots that walk using biological muscle tissue, 3D printed lab-grown meat, and even engineered skin that can heal.
But he wanted to spread his expertise even further and improve robotic skin.
He said: “By mimicking human skin-ligament structures and by using specially made V-shaped perforations in solid materials, we found a way to bind skin to complex structures.
“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.”
In the past, scientists tried to attach skin tissue to solid surfaces with things like mini anchors or hooks, but these could cause damage while moving.
By carefully engineering small perforations instead, Prof Takeuchi says essentially any shape of surface can have skin applied to it.
The Science Behind the Human Skin on a Robot
The “engineered skin tissue” takes a sample of human skin cells and grows them in the lab.
The majority of the human skin used to harvest these cells comes from extra skin removed during surgeries.
In order to aid in the attachment of the layer of lab-grown skin, the team created special perforations in the robot’s face and applied a unique collagen gel.
Skin can be applied to almost any form of surface by carefully designing tiny openings.
They used a special collagen gel which is naturally gummy for adhesion.
Using plasma treatment, they placed this collagen into the fine structures of the perforations while holding the skin close to the surface in question.
Prof Takeuchi said: “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.
“However, now that we can do this, living skin can bring a range of new abilities to robots.
“Self-healing is a big deal – some chemical-based materials can be made to heal themselves, but they require triggers such as heat, pressure or other signals, and they also do not proliferate like cells.
Prof Takeuchi and his team want their innovative feat to help in medicine.
Something like a face-on-a-chip could be useful in research into skin aging, cosmetics, surgery and more.
Prof Takeuchi says that if sensors can be embedded, robots could be equipped with better environmental awareness and move around easier.
He said: “In this study, we managed to replicate human appearance to some extent by creating a face with the same surface material and structure as humans.
“Additionally, through this research, we identified new challenges, such as the necessity for surface wrinkles and a thicker epidermis to achieve a more humanlike appearance.”
Prof Takeuchi added: “Creating robots that can heal themselves, sense their environment more accurately and perform tasks with human-like dexterity is incredibly motivating.”
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