Researchers at the University of Tokyo managed to grow human-like living skin on a robotic finger that can heal when cut and even wrinkle. This achievement blurs the line between human flesh and machine, but could be a game changer in the medical field.
How did they managed to grow human-like skin on a robotic finger? Professor Takeuchi and his colleagues first had to submerge the robotic finger in a cylinder filled with a solution of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts, or the main components of the connective tissues our skin. This layer was then used as a uniform foundation for the next coat of cells – human epidermal keratinocytes – to adhere to. As long as this isn’t used on something like the Grace healthcare robot, we’ll be good.
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The finger looks slightly ‘sweaty’ straight out of the culture medium. Since the finger is driven by an electric motor, it is also interesting to hear the clicking sounds of the motor in harmony with a finger that looks just like a real one,” said Shoji Takeuchi, first author and professor at the University of Tokyo.
