New 'living skin' advances humanoid robot technology

Humanoid robots aren't just science fiction anymore. In fact, they're almost ready to enter the workforce. Amazon has been testing out a replacement for its warehouse employees, and even Elon Musk has been toying with the idea of a robotic helper. It's clear we're seeing innovations, even if some may make your skin crawl. The latest coming to us from scientists at the University of Tokyo. They've created a type of skin from human cells, the pink, gooey material stretching to form something of an awkward smile. It might be unsettling, but it's also a glimpse of where this technology could be headed. Using a special gel loaded with skin forming cells, researchers were able to sculpt a living layer that adheres to robotic surfaces. And when it smiles, it's not just mechanics, it's biology at work. Researchers believe this technology could enhance our understanding of facial expressions and advanced treatments for facial paralysis, while also improving cosmetic and orthopedic surgery. In the future, stroke patients and burn victims who have undergone major surgeries could benefit from more natural skin augmentations. While it may take many more years of testing for the technology to become an everyday reality, researchers hope it will help make robots in the workforce more approachable. While the commercial viability of humanoid robots like Boston Dynamics, Atlas and Tesla's Optimist remains limited, recent advancements are starting to bridge the gap to practical applications. Tesla's annual shareholder meeting, CEO Elon Musk proposed that humanoid robots could significantly increase the companies market value to $25 trillion in the future. He also predicted that by 2025, Tesla would have a few thousand optimist robots operational in its factories. Meanwhile, Boston Dynamics has been selling its robot dog Spot since 2019 and hopes to one day bring its humanoid Atlas robot to market. Maybe before any of these robots get these skin treatment, they consider adding some eyelids. If the goal is to make these things more approachable, I'm Kara Rucker. For more news stories like this, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit us at san.com.