The Japanese researchers (Tsuyoshi Sekitani, Takao Someya and team) at the University of Tokyo have developed “E-Skin,” a skin robotics enabling robots have the sensation of touch. The sheet of rubber is made up of nanotubes to the conduction of electricity, even when it is fully stretched. The rubber is completely malleable and can even be applied to curved surfaces without losing its property conductivity. The skin robotics “E-Skin” could be used to make circuits that can be stretched up to 1.7 times their original size. If it is associated has sensors, it would enable robots to make their artificial skin, and so feel the heat or pressure, which according to researchers will be essential if the robots are part and parcel of our future. Researchers are also many other applications as its use to watch TV on a small screen size that would stretch and more comfortable for viewing.
The research team hopes to develop their system and put it on the market by several years.