Warmcore Tech AI Companion Robot Skin Materials Revealed: From TPE, Silicone to Future Living Electronic Skin

Reaching International Standards at a More Affordable Price

On the international market, the humanoid robot Aria has sparked heated discussions. This robot, designed for companionship, not only engages in natural conversation but also offers physical interaction. The high-end version is priced as high as USD 175,000, while even the economy model, limited to knowledge-based interaction, costs around USD 20,000.

At Warmcore Tech, we are equally focused on developing highly realistic humanoid companion robots, continuously advancing in skin materials, facial expressions, and long-term durability. Our robots deliver a similarly realistic experience, yet at a far more reasonable price, making AI companionship accessible to more people.

The Complexity of Human Skin: The Benchmark for Bionics

Human skin consists of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, composed of keratin, collagen, elastin, and fat, which provide flexibility and resilience. In addition, a dense distribution of receptors and nerve endings allows us to perceive touch, pressure, and temperature.

Most importantly, the skin has self-repairing abilities, with fibroblasts and keratinocytes working together to heal wounds.

Therefore, developing artificial skin must overcome three major challenges:

• Flexibility
• Sensory capability
• Self-repair ability

Material Choices and Challenges in Artificial Skin

TPE Thermoplastic Elastomer — The Entry-Level Option

TPE combines the elasticity of rubber with the processing advantages of thermoplastics.

Advantages: Low cost, adjustable hardness and color, easy for mass production.

Disadvantages: Plastic-like texture, lacking flesh-like realism, and lower-quality versions may contain additives that can cause allergies.

Silicone — A More Realistic Touch

Silicone (PDMS) is closer to real dermis in feel and performance.

Advantages: Fine texture, high elasticity, can be sculpted with pores and patterns for a natural appearance.

Applications: Commonly used in smart heads and facial areas, enabling blinking, smiling, frowning, and other expressions with servo structures.

Liquid Platinum Silicone — The Premium Choice

Liquid platinum silicone is currently the highest-grade option for artificial skin.

Advantages: Lifespan up to 8–10 years, significantly more durable than TPE and standard silicone; touch and appearance closest to real human skin.

👉 Warmcore Tech’s flagship models use liquid platinum silicone, priced from around NT$199,000, providing long-term reliability for users seeking the ultimate experience.

Frontier Exploration: Electronic Skin and Living Bio-Skin

Electronic Skin (E-skin)

Traditional methods embed sensors within the silicone layer, but this often causes interference and damage.

A 2025 study in Science Robotics introduced a new approach: using hydrogel combined with electrical impedance tomography (EIT), turning the entire skin layer itself into a sensor, capable of distinguishing touch, pressure, temperature, and even damage location, without extra embedded sensors.

Living Bio-Skin

A 2022 study published in Matter cultivated a “dermis” layer from a collagen solution containing human cells, then seeded keratinocytes to form an “epidermis.”

This bio-skin feels close to human skin and can perform preliminary self-repair. Although not yet fully self-healing, it demonstrates a potential evolutionary direction for future companion robots.

The “Impossible Triangle” of Artificial Skin

The challenges of artificial skin can be summarized as a triangle of “texture, function, and cost.” At present, no single material can achieve all three simultaneously, but this represents an opportunity for continued breakthroughs.

Conclusion: Good Skin Creates Good Companionship

The true value of companion robots lies not only in AI dialogue or expressive faces, but in the realistic feel of their skin.

Warmcore Tech is committed to pursuing the optimal balance among current materials (TPE, silicone, and liquid platinum silicone), while closely following global frontier research. We believe that only by creating “good skin” can robots truly become warm companions, rather than cold machines.

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