Japanese researchers have created a bizarre robotic finger that is “slightly sweaty” and covered in living skin. Yes, it is as creepy as it sounds. Scientists claim this development brings robots a step closer to being more human-like. The technological advancement blurs the distinction between living flesh and machine, and it was even demonstrated to be able to heal itself.
However, experts worry that people might find lifelike anatomy frightening. In this article from The Guardian, Shoji Takeuchi, a professor at the University of Tokyo, had this to say about it:
“We are surprised by how well the skin tissue conforms to the robot’s surface. But this work is just the first step toward creating robots covered with living skin.”
According to the team who worked on the project, they predict that more realistic humanoids would be way better equipped in dealing with people in jobs such as nursing care and the service sector. Yikes! I mean I know there are some truly shitty, uncaring people working in the care sector but there are also some loving people too. I can’t imagine a robot replacing a person with genuine empathy. Then again, on the flip side, a robot won’t get exhausted and consult management being overworked. It’s a tough one. Shoji Takeuchi continued:
“I think living skin is the ultimate solution to give robots the look and touch of living creatures since it is exactly the same material that covers animal bodies. Such advances had the potential to build a new relationship between humans and robots”.
Sheets of skin that can be sewn together during reconstructive surgery have already been created by scientists, but there have been complications with growing living skin on three-dimensional, dynamic things. In the most recent study, scientists immersed the slightly sweaty robotic finger in a container filled with human dermal fibroblasts and collagen, which are the two main components of the skin. This provided a smooth foundation for the layer of cells to adhere to the surface like a paint primer. When the finger was bent back and forth, natural-looking wrinkles appeared on the knuckles. When injured, the robot skin was able to self-heal just like human skin with the use of a collagen bandage and it felt just like normal human skin.
However, it’s still much weaker than human skin and it has to be kept permanently moist because with a circulatory system the cells will die off. Shoji Takeuchi continued:
“The finger looks slightly sweaty straight out of the culture medium. Since the finger is driven by an electric motor, it is also interesting to hear the clicking sounds of the motor in harmony with a finger that looks just like a real one.”
However, researchers warn that the combination of robot / human induces a sort of “uncanny valley” effect, which is triggered when something looks lifelike but doesn’t quite pull it off. It can make people feel creeped out.
Prof Fabian Grabenhorst, a neuroscientist at the University of Oxford, who studies the uncanny valley effect, said:
“Initially people might find it weird, but through positive experiences that might help people overcome these feelings.”
Scientists are currently working on a skin-covered robotic face, so that’s great news for those who suffer with the uncanny-valley effect. Imagine seeing a full-blown robot walking towards you with a lifelike, slightly sweaty human face?!
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