University of Tokyo robot face smiles with living skin

A team led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi at the University of Tokyo reported in Cell Reports Physical Science a way to anchor cultured skin to a robot. A collagen gel containing human skin cells fills tiny V-shaped perforations in the surface, holding the tissue in place as actuators push the face into a smile. The researchers see possible uses in more lifelike humanoids, self-healing coverings and research into wrinkles, cosmetics and surgery. They acknowledged the result still looks unsettling, a reminder of how hard humanlike faces remain.

Source: NPR (via KPCW)