New Robot Skin Feels Just Like Real

Another great development from the Land of the Rising Sun.

In a move that could provide a crucial boost to our robotic friends
struggling up the near side of the Uncanny Valley, major cosmetics
manufacturer Kao Corporation and a Keio University research team
led by robotics professor Takashi Maeno have developed an artificial
skin that feels just like human skin.

Skin, the largest organ of the human body, consists of a soft layer
of tissue (dermis) covered by a tougher protective layer (epidermis).
The artificial skin developed by Kao and Keio mimics the feel of human
skin with a 1-cm thick “dermis” of elastic silicone covered by a 0.2-mm thick “epidermis” of firm urethane. Countless tiny hexagonal indentations
etched into the urethane epidermis provide it with a very realistic texture.

In a series of unscientific tests, 10 out of 12 people who touched the skin
thought it felt like human skin, while equipment designed to measure the mechanical properties of skin confirmed the artificial skin had characteristics resembling human skin.


SOURCE:
Pink Tentacle

Pretty cool development, yet another step towards true androids.

Unfortuantely, I realise the first use of this technology will most
likely be used in some kind of sex doll.


Comments, Opinions?

[edit on 9/19/2006 by iori_komei]

I bet there are robots walking among us right now. As a matter of fact, I've always had doubts about my 3rd grade teacher. Seriously, if you combine this with the other advances in robotics, we'll have some very lifelike robots.

Like that dude who made the realistic replica of the japanese news anchorwoman. And the almost AI stuff we currently see in development. Plus that robotic skin that can sense temperature pressure and various other stimuli.

I'm actually betting that there is a top secret lab somewhere where the government, or some other evil genius is putting together an android army.

I would'nt doubt some company or government has actually managed
to create an Android with true Artificial intelligence.

But an android army would be a waste of resources, if you want to
openly conquer some place by force, it's better to use normal robots,
and UCAVS, UCGVs, UCNVs and UCSVs.

If there are andoids on this planet, you can be sure that they are not walking and working beside us, becuase if they do exist, that means they are ultra-secret, and increased exposure to the real world, increases the chance of their eventually discovery. Accidents happen. An Andriod getting hit by a bus will look a lot different then a human getting hit by a bus. (or even an Android dodging a bus at high speed would be a dead givaway as well).

[edit on 19-9-2006 by sardion2000]

True, nonetheless, I bet they are out there. Probably in Area 51, or Cheyanne Mountain Complex. Hell, maybe we've got them flying planes and stuff. Keep them out of sight and under control.

Question..
Why would there be any in Cheyenne mountain?

I mean yeah it is the home of NORAD, but I think I remember
hearing that it was moving.

That's where the Stargate is silly

Yeah.....I'm watching Stargate SG-1 right now. If I was watching Star Trek I would have said Utopia Plenetia.

Trust me, that's where they keep them androids.

LOL.

But did'nt the one time they had an android there,
she almost caused a macroscopic grey goo scenario.

He'd be my best friend.

[edit on 19-9-2006 by Rasobasi420]

Yeah it would be a really good thing to have robots that looked like people but then again couldn't that mean that one day movies like terminator, a world like the real world in the matrix and other things like that be closer to reality?
I mean if we get robots that look like people then what's stopping them from one day wanting power or wanjhting to expand wouldn't we then be looking at war?

That kind of scenario most likely will never happen.
That's just negative Hollywod hype.

What's more likely is that either we go Cybernetic and mix with AI,
or they just move on to do there own thing, away from humanity.

Or, if we program them right, they'll be like us, and live amongst us,
just like another person.