A VIDEO shows the world’s first robot face carved from human flesh with an extremely sinister smile.
Japanese scientists have found a way to attach artificially produced skin tissue to humanoid robots.
Inspired by the ligaments of human skin, the team built special perforations into a robot’s face to help hold a layer of skin in place.
The scientists, led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi of the University of Tokyo, claim the breakthrough could give more mobility to robots, some of which can already move without human intervention.
These frightening images come after leading technology experts told The Sun why AI replacing human jobs may not be bad news.
Even though they fear that jobs could change dramatically, there should still be room for people in the workplace.
Speaking at NewsCorp’s Women in Tech Conference in New York, technology strategist Elizebeth Varghese said: “I am convinced that jobs are going to change.”
“I’m convinced there will be many more new jobs that people have never heard of. We’re already seeing that with social media content creators.”
She added: “I am convinced that the life cycle of jobs will change, every three months, but I am convinced that there will be a job for everyone.”
The professor’s team believes that their research, published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, could be helpful in training in the fields of cosmetics and surgery.
Prof. Takeuchi’s lab, the Biohybrid Systems Laboratory, has developed mini-robots that walk using biological muscle tissue, 3D-printed lab-grown meat, and even artificially created skin that can heal.
But he wanted to spread his expertise even further and improve robot skin.
He said: “By mimicking human skin-ligament structures and using specially designed V-shaped perforations in rigid materials, we have found a way to attach skin to complex structures.
“The skin’s natural flexibility and strong adhesion method allow the skin to move with the robot’s mechanical components without tearing or peeling off.”
In the past, scientists have tried to attach skin tissue to solid surfaces using things like mini anchors or hooks, but these could cause damage when moved.
Instead, says Prof. Takeuchi, through the careful construction of small perforations, one could in principle cover any surface with skin.
The science behind a robot’s human skin
The “artificial skin tissue” takes a sample of human skin cells and grows them in the laboratory.
The majority of human skin used to obtain these cells consists of excess skin that has been removed during surgery.
To facilitate the attachment of the layer of lab-grown skin, the team made special perforations in the robot’s face and applied a unique collagen gel.
By carefully designing small openings, skin can be applied to almost any surface.
For adhesion, they used a special collagen gel with a natural rubber structure.
Using plasma treatment, they introduced this collagen into the fine structures of the perforations, holding the skin close to the affected surface.
Prof. Takeuchi said: “Manipulating soft, moist biological tissue during the development process is much more difficult than laypeople might think.
“For example, if sterility is not guaranteed, bacteria can penetrate and the tissue can die.
“But now that we can do this, living skin can give robots a range of new capabilities.
“Self-healing is a big deal – some chemical-based materials can be made to heal themselves, but they require triggers like heat, pressure or other signals, and they also don’t proliferate like cells.
Prof. Takeuchi and his team want to help medicine with their innovative achievements.
Something like a face on a chip could be useful in skin aging research, cosmetics, surgery and many other areas.
Professor Takeuchi says that by embedding sensors, robots could develop greater environmental awareness and move more easily.
He said: “In this study, we managed to replicate the human appearance to some extent by creating a face with the same surface material and structure as humans.
“In addition, we have identified new challenges through this research, such as the need for surface wrinkles and a thicker epidermis to achieve a more human appearance.”
Prof. Takeuchi added: “Developing robots that can heal themselves, perceive their environment more accurately and perform tasks with human-like dexterity is incredibly motivating.”