--- title: "Scientists Create Robot “Finger” With Living Skin That Looks Like, Um" description: "Scientists at the University of Tokyo have created a fleshy and \"slightly sweaty\" robotic finger that is covered in a pink layer of living skin. The rather phallic looking result is, well, pretty horrifying to look at, to say the least. Nonetheless, it's an impressive demonstration of synthetic skin, technologies that could one day allow […]" date: "2022-06-09" modified: "2022-06-09" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/robot-finger-living-skin" categories: - "Robotics" - "Robots and Machines" tags: - "artificial skin" - "robotics" - "the digest" --- # Scientists Create Robot “Finger” With Living Skin That Looks Like, Um ![Scientists at the University of Tokyo have created a fleshy and "slightly sweaty" robotic finger that is covered in a pink layer of living skin.]() *\Image: Shoji Takeuchi\* ## Sweaty Finger Scientists at the University of Tokyo have created a [fleshy and "slightly sweaty" robotic finger](), covered in a pink layer of living skin, grown from human skin cells. The rather phallic looking result is, well, pretty horrifying to look at. Nonetheless, it's an impressive demonstration of synthetic skin, tech that could pave the way to ultrarealistic humanoid robots or even incredible new prosthetics. ## Living Skin The creepy ersatz flesh has several advantages over the silicone sheets of skin covering other contemporary soft robots. Not only is the layer water repellent, but the scientists say it can also heal itself and even hold onto moisture. The skin also doesn't have to be meticulously crafted around the robot — it simply molds itself around the frame of the finger. That's thanks to the combination of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts used in the crafting of the finger, which can shrink and conform to the robot's shape. "We are surprised by how well the skin tissue conforms to the robot’s surface," said Shoji Takeuchi, a professor at the University of Tokyo and lead author of a [new paper]() published in the journal *Matter*, in [a statement](). "But this work is just the first step toward creating robots covered with living skin." ## Puts the Lotion The finger's inventors appear to be understandably fascinated by their uncanny creation. "The finger looks slightly ‘sweaty’ straight out of the culture medium," said first author Shoji Takeuchi, also a professor at the University of Tokyo, in the statement. "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." But it's still a far cry from human skin, which is far more resilient. For one, the special layer has to be constantly supplied with nutrients. It also doesn't feature any sensory neurons, let alone nails or sweat glands, something the team is hoping to address in upcoming and even more lifelike iterations. "I think living skin is the ultimate solution to give robots the look and touch of living creatures since it is exactly the same material that covers animal bodies, Takeuchi. **READ MORE:** [Scientists craft living human skin for robots]() \[*Cell Press*\] **More on robots:** *[Wow! Elon Musk Says Tesla's Person in a Robot Costume Will Become a Real Robot at Some Point in the Future]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()