Researchers at The University of Tokyo have covered a robotic finger with skin created from actual human skin cells. It’s also capable of repairing itself when a collagen sheet is applied. And repair itself, it’s going to need to because I’m taking that Terminator finger down!
Professor Shoji Takeuchi believes realistic skin is the key to robots becoming human-like enough for society to accept them. I don’t know about you, but I feel like ultra-realistic humanoid robots are the opposite direction we should be headed. I think robots should all look like Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons. The key is non-threatening, not lifelike. That’s just creepy.
Takeuchi says that the current silicone skin used for robots just isn’t lifelike enough for humans to foster a kinship with our robotic brethren and plans on adding sweat glands, hair follicles, and fingernails to the robots in the future. And on the day that happens, I’ll be waving goodbye as my rocket blasts off far into space, away from all the hairy, sweaty robots on earth.
[via CNet]
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