Scientists create living human skin for robots that can stretch, repel water and even 'heal' itself

Science fiction has just taken one step closer to reality, as scientists have managed to create a living'sweaty' skin for humanoid robots. The material, developed by scientists at the University of Tokyo, not only has a skin-like texture but can also repel water and'heal' itself with a collagen plaster. The method for its creation was published today in journal Matter, and involves dipping a robot finger into a solution of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts - the two main components that make up the connective tissue in human skin. Lead author Shoji Takeuchi said: '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.