Advancements in humanoid robotics continue with increasingly realistic synthetic skins. Now, scientists at the University of Tokyo have achieved a milestone by coating a robotic finger with actual living human skin that self-heals, as detailed in the journal Matter.
Humanoid robots, designed to perform diverse tasks alongside humans, are poised to play key roles in healthcare and service industries. Their lifelike appearance enhances communication and builds trust.
To mimic human skin effectively, coatings must replicate its properties, including self-healing capabilities, essential for dynamic environments. Unlike traditional silicone rubber used in robotics, which lacks these traits, our focus shifts to innovative biological alternatives.
For the first time, University of Tokyo researchers have developed a skin coating using real human cells.
Under Professor Shoji Takeuchi's leadership, the team crafted an articulated robotic finger that flexes like a human one. They immersed it in a solution of human collagen and dermal fibroblasts—core components of skin's connective tissue.
The solution rapidly contracted, forming a seamless hydrogel layer that hugged the finger's contours. Next, they layered on human epidermal keratinocytes, which comprise 90% of the epidermis, creating a protective, moisture-retaining barrier with a natural texture.
Testing revealed the skin's durability: it stretched and bent with the finger while maintaining water resistance. Remarkably, when cut and treated with a collagen bandage, the wound healed as the bandage integrated into new skin.
This is an early proof-of-concept; the skin remains fragile and requires ongoing nutrient supply for viability. Future work will address durability and incorporate features like nails, sweat glands, hair follicles, and sensory neurons for touch.
Ultimately, this technology could make humanoid robots more lifelike and enable skin research without animal or human testing.
