According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences report, a group of researchers from the University of Tokyo have built pressure-sensor arrays that could give objects "skin" that have pressure sensitivity, like human skin. The materials used for the pressure sensor arrays are inexpensive and flexible plastic or rubber. This ensures they will be low-cost when it comes to covering large areas like a humanoid robot or hospital floor where the sensor will give feedback if patience falls on it.

The researchers' prototype is an 8 centimeter square sheet containing a 32x32 array of organic sensors, which is actually much smaller number of sensors than human skin. Electronic skin could be ready for practical use in four to five years, according to the Japanese researchers.