Robots Could Get Sense Of Touch With 3D-Printed 'Bionic Skin'

The replicants from Blade Runner were very human-like, and one of the reasons they appeared human was because they had skins that didn't just look real but also had the sensation of touch. In fact, the derogatory term used in that particular story for fictional replicants was "skin-job." If new research by engineers at the University of Minnesota advances further, it could result in a "bionic skin" that lets robots have the sense of touch. Not only that, the technology -- 3D printing stretchable electronic sensory devices -- could, in the future, be applied to printing electronics on human skin. The researchers published a study recently, describing their printing approach, in the journal Advanced Materials.