A VIDEO showing the world’s first robot face carved from human flesh has caused a very evil smile.
Japanese scientists have found a way to attach engineered skin tissue to humanoid robots.
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Taking inspiration from the ligaments of human skin, the team incorporated special perforations into a robot’s face, which helped a layer of skin to grip.
The scientists, led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi of the University of Tokyo, claim the discovery could bring more mobility to robots, some of which can already move without a human.
The chilling images come as leading tech experts told The Sun why AI replacing human jobs may not be bad news.
Although they doubt that jobs can change dramatically, there should still be room for people in the workplace.
Speaking at NewsCorp’s Women in Tech Conference in New York, tech strategist Elizebeth Varghese said: “I think right now, I believe the workplace is going to transform.
“I believe 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 believe the life cycle of jobs will transform and it will transform every three months, but I believe there will be jobs for everyone.”
The professor’s team says their research, published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, could help in cosmetic and surgical training.
The laboratory of Prof. Takeuchi’s 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 the robotic skin.
He said: “By mimicking human skin-ligament structures and using specially made V-shaped perforations in solid materials, we found a way to connect skin to complex structures.
“The skin’s natural flexibility and strong attachment method mean the skin can move with the robot’s mechanical components without tearing or coming off.”
In the past, scientists tried to attach skin tissue to solid surfaces with things like mini anchors or hooks, but these could cause damage during movement.
Instead, by carefully engineering tiny perforations, Prof Takeuchi says essentially any surface shape can be applied to the skin.
The science behind human skin in a robot
“Engineered skin tissue” takes a sample of human skin cells and grows them in the lab.
Most of the human skin used to harvest these cells comes from extra skin removed during surgeries.
To help the layer of lab-grown skin adhere, the team created special perforations in the robot’s face and applied a unique collagen gel.
The skin can be applied to almost any surface shape by carefully designing small openings.
They used a special collagen gel, which is naturally rubbery for adhesion.
Using plasma treatment, they placed this collagen in the fine structures of the perforations, keeping the skin close to the surface in question.
Prof Takeuchi said: “Manipulating soft and moist biological tissues during the development process is much more difficult than people outside the field might think.
“For example, 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 whole new range of capabilities 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 don’t multiply like cells.
Prof Takeuchi and his team want their innovative feat to help medicine.
Something like a face on a chip could be useful in skin aging research, cosmetics, surgery and more.
Prof Takeuchi says that if sensors can be introduced, robots can be equipped with better environmental awareness and move more easily.
He said: “In this study, we were able to reproduce human appearance to some extent by creating a face with the same surface material and structure as humans.
“Furthermore, through this research, we identified new challenges, such as the need for surface wrinkles and a thicker epidermis to achieve a more human 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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