Japan scientists make smiling robot with 'living skin’

Jul 20, 2024 | News On Japan

Jul 20, 2024 (South China Morning Post) - Japanese scientists have attached living skin to robot faces to make them “smile”. The University of Tokyo published its findings in late June 2024, along with a video of the material being stretched into an unsettling grin.

The biohybrid robot specialists hope the technology will one day play a role in the invention of androids with humanlike appearances and abilities. Researchers also hope to add more elements to the lab-grown skin for use in cosmetics and drug testing that are absorbed through the skin.

Typhoon No. 24 Drenches Okinawa Before Expected Turn East

Typhoon No. 24 (Krovahn) was moving south near Okinawa's main island as of 9 p.m. on September 5, bringing extremely heavy rain exceeding 50 millimeters per hour in some areas north of the storm's center, which the Japan Meteorological Agency estimated to be over waters about 100 kilometers southeast of Naha with a central atmospheric pressure of 992 hectopascals.

Tokyo Unveils Design for Symbol Tree at Shinjuku Station

Tokyo has unveiled the design for a major redevelopment of the plaza outside Shinjuku Station's west exit, with a landmark tree, water-play area and event space planned as part of a transformation centered on "greenery, light and people" that is scheduled for completion in 2035.

Japanese Researcher Wins Ig Nobel Prize

A late former professor at Asahikawa Medical University has won the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine for scientifically examining the proper way to blow the nose, extending Japan's streak of Ig Nobel winners to 20 consecutive years.

Shinkansen Takes on Overnight Travel

Night trains are making a comeback across Japan, with railway operators introducing new overnight services and even experimenting with overnight Shinkansen trains as demand grows for alternatives that combine transportation, accommodation and the experience of traveling through the night.

Bear Attacks Continue as Peak Season Looms

Bear sightings and attacks have been reported across Japan throughout the summer, with animals damaging sheds, attacking livestock and injuring people, while experts warn that autumn is the most dangerous season as bears expand their range in search of food.

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