Scientists created a robot that has *living* skin.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have taken a major step toward making robots more human-like by successfully binding living skin tissue to robotic surfaces.
Using a new method inspired by human skin ligaments, the team created tiny V-shaped holes filled with collagen gel, forming strong, seamless anchors for the living skin.
The result is a robot capable of making more natural facial expressions, like smiling-offering promising improvements for robots working in human-facing roles such as healthcare and education, where empathy and emotional connection are crucial.
This breakthrough could revolutionize robotics by enhancing both appearance and sensory capabilities. Living skin could give robots not only realistic facial expressions but also a sophisticated ability to sense touch, temperature, and texture-something synthetic materials have yet to fully replicate. Future research will focus on developing vascular systems to nourish the skin, making it even more lifelike and durable. If successful, humanoid robots of tomorrow may not just look human-they could feel human, too.