Japanese researchers have revealed the possibility of robots having stretchable e-skin and to feel the heat and pressure like humans, with the development of a form of rubber which is a good conductor of electricity, reported the Taipei Times.

The skin made by mixing carbon nanotubes, or tube-shaped carbon molecules  with an ionic liquid and rubber, will have greater conductivity and flexibility. The researchers claimed that it can be stretched up to 38%, 2.3 times the original size, without much difference in conductivity. It is expected to solve the problems of metals that do not stretch and lack the capacity of efficient transmission of electricity.

Other than providing artificial skin for robots, this achievement can also be applied for checking the fitness of car drivers by using it on the surface of steering wheels to analyse perspiration, body temperature and other data of the driver. It can tilt a hospital bed to change the patient’s posture to avoid bedsores, making it suitable for bed ridden people.

Tsuyoshi Sekitani, a research associate in the team, feels the need for robots to have sensitivity, for coexistence. He said, ‘Imagine they bump into babies. As robots enter our everyday life, they need to have sensors everywhere on their bodies like humans.’ X