Towards increasingly human robots. Japanese scientists from the University of Tokyo have recently designed a small robot resembling a pink blob. Its special feature? It is covered in gelatinized human tissue, and is capable of “smiling”. This research, the details of which were published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science on June 25, could make it possible to learn more about facial expressions, which should benefit robots as much as humans.
“Living” skin fixed with false ligaments
In detail, this team of researchers led by Shoji Takeuchi, professor of mechano-informatics at the Institute of Industrial Sciences at the University of Tokyo, uses “living” skin composed of cells and an extracellular matrix cultivated in the laboratory. , notably collagen and dermal fibroblasts, specifies CNN. It would be a good candidate to replace silicone as a covering material for humanoid robots, it is indicated in the publication.
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In a previous study, the team had attempted to demonstrate its biological properties by healing this skin on a robotic finger using a collagen graft. This time, their work focused on methods of attaching this skin to the robot’s mechanical surface. To do this, they took inspiration from the natural structure of human skin ligaments to create collagen “anchors” that attach to small V-shaped holes on the machine’s surface.
Work on facial expressions
This technique would first allow “a more transparent and more durable fixation”, according to Professor Shoji Takeuchi. It would also be an opportunity to offer humanoid robots greater realism in their facial expressions, which are currently struggling to convince, despite efforts. “Realistic facial expressions improve the robot’s ability to communicate and interact with humans in a more natural and effective way”, the professor recalled.
To achieve even more realism, the skin must then equip itself with new sensory functions, in order to make it “more reactive to environmental stimuli,” explained the researcher. Research is also being conducted to create a vascular system for “living” skin, to improve its durability. Finally, for humans, this technology “will allow us to better understand the formation of wrinkles and the physiology of facial expressions”, which could lead to the design of better transplant materials or cosmetic products.
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