Scientists Create "Smart Skin"

[Gahars]

One of a Terminator's most essential features is its human-like skin - it allows the hulking, steel killing machines to appear as hulking, fleshy people.

Of course, we're a long way from creating anything like that (though with time travel, that's sort of irrelevant). Still, it's all about baby steps, and mimicking the sense of touch is a good first start, as researchers from both China and the United States are sure to tell you.

Cue article...

A team from the US and China made an experimental array that can sense pressure in the same range as the human fingertip.

The advance could speed the development of smarter artificial skin capable of "feeling" activity on the surface.

The sensors, which are described in Science magazine, could also help give robots a more adaptive sense of touch.

BBC

Simulating the sense of touch? What a sensation! And hey, watch out, internet. Robots will finally know "that feel" you so often speak of.

Anyway, I'm not going to pretend to understand all of the finer intricacies behind this mechanical marvel. It's easier to just use Frankenstein logic - Electricity is magic. Good enough for me!

So, what should the official theme song for this development be? Stan Bush's "The Touch" seems like the obvious choice, but the Rocky Horror Picture Show's "Touch-a Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me" is quite a bit catchier. What do you think? Cast your vote at [email protected]!

 

[Squirps]

Better not let the robots start touching dem boobies...

 

[Sicklyboy]

High density packet of these sensors = robo penis.

 

[Chary]

We have some amazing technology, and what do we say about it? That it can touch Genitalia.

 

[dickfour]

Dose this mean when I have sex with a robot it'll be able to since penetration and act accordingly? I hope they can make that smart skin silky soft.

 

[Squirps]

We have some amazing technology, and what do we say about it? That it can touch Genitalia.

Pretty much, yeah.

But in all seriousness, this honestly is some pretty awesome stuff. I'm actually curious to see how the robots will "store" these feelings and how the data collected can be used can be interpreted to carry out other commands. Who knows? Maybe this can also be used to train robots to eventually learn how to perform operations on humans autonomously and shit.

Spoiler

But I do admit, my first thought was definitely "BOOBS."