Scientists have created robo-skin out of living human cells that can make expressions — and the results are creepy

ChatGPT recently passed the Turing test, a remarkable experiment devised to test whether humans can tell a computer apart from a human being through conversation alone. And with the rate technology is progressing, it won’t be too long before you won’t be able to tell a real person apart from an android soon, either — although progress is still in the “creepy” stage at the moment.

Putting skin in the game

Artificial skin has been the holy grail for robotics, considering that scientists and sci-fi artists have a weird urge to make robots appear more human-like. However, the challenge has always been ensuring this skin stays put. Previous attempts such as the usage of "anchors" resulted in unsightly lumps under the skin, compromising the robot's appearance. However, we might have a new game-changer now.

Japanese researchers have pioneered a method where the robot's skeleton is peppered with tiny holes. Into these holes, the artificially grown skin extends V-shaped hooks, keeping it snugly in place while maintaining a smooth and flexible surface. This ingenious solution prevents the skin from sagging and retains its lifelike appearance.


Further, the robot’s skeleton is treated with water-vapour plasma to make it hydrophilic, attracting the skin's gel deeper into the holes for a firmer attachment. And yes, this means a robot probably has a better moisturising routine than you.

This way of attaching the skin to the robot not only makes the skin more lifelike but also self-repairing — just like our skin! When the skin sustains a cut or scrape, the cultured skin cells can regenerate, mending the damage without external intervention. As a result, minor tears are autonomously repaired, maintaining the robot's smooth and lifelike appearance, and significantly reducing the need for manual maintenance. While the speed of this self-healing process is yet to be quantified, the potential benefits are enormous.

A spooky demo

In a fascinating yet eerie demonstration, researchers recreated the subtle changes in human skin when smiling. By connecting the artificial skin to a robotic face with a silicone layer beneath, they achieved “inflating cheeks,” mimicking the natural movement of human muscles.

The skin seamlessly fitted the 3D mould of a face, with no protruding bolts or hooks. However, more challenges exist.

"Firstly, we need to enhance the durability and longevity of the cultured skin when applied to robots, particularly by addressing issues related to nutrient and moisture supply," explained study researcher Shoji Takeuchi. "This could involve developing integrated blood vessels or other perfusion systems within the skin."

Improving the mechanical strength of the skin to match natural human skin is also critical. This requires optimising the collagen structure within the cultured skin. Additionally, future artificial skin will need to convey sensory information such as temperature and touch and resist biological contamination.

The implications of this research extend beyond creating lifelike robots. Understanding how facial muscles convey emotion could drive breakthroughs in treating facial paralysis and expand capabilities in cosmetic and orthopaedic surgery. The future of robotics looks more human than ever, and it’s a future that’s closer than we think.

The findings of this research have been published in Cell Reports Physical Science and can be accessed here.