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🧠 Japanese robots with lab-grown skin

07-02-2024

July 02, 2024 | Read Online

University of Tokyo unveiled self-healing skin for robots

PLUS: AI designs futuristic vehicles

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Here’s what’s on the menu today:

Japanese robots with lab-grown skin? 🤖 🧴

University of Tokyo unveiled perforation-type anchors.
AI designs futuristic vehicles 🚀 🔥

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MAIN COURSE

Robots with living, human skin? 🤖 🧴

Last Tuesday, University of Tokyo researchers developed perforation-type anchors. It allows you to add self-healing skin to robots.

Bot’s skin is pore-ly behaved. 🤖

Source: University of Tokyo

What are perforation-type anchors?

They’re holes filled with a collagen gel full of living cells. This goes on top of the robot and is then treated with a plasma treatment.

"We've recreated how human skin sticks to and moves with our bodies, but for robots. This creates a more natural, flexible covering that can handle complex robot movements."

— Dr. Shoji Takeuchi, University of Tokyo

Creepy. What’s the point?

It allows robots to have smooth outer surfaces, move more naturally, repair themselves, and more.

It’s slime in a dish. How does that look like a human?

They also covered a robot’s face with this skin. It can smile, mimic human facial movements, and more.

So all robots will have skin now?

Nah. This version of skin lacks sweat glands, hair, and more. Researchers will need to further develop it before it has practical uses. They also shared plans to create synthetic muscle tissue for mechanical robots.

What’s a dermatologist’s favorite holiday? Blackhead Friday. 😬🩸

Source: University of Tokyo

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