Last updated on : January 28th, 2020 by Techferal

Scientists have developed an artificial skin that can feel the touch, allowing the user to `` hold hands '' with a loved one on the other side of the world or feel a slap on the back of a teammate in the game Fortnite online. a system of 'epidermal virtual reality'

, the artificial skin consists of a six-inch square sheet of thin, soft and flexible material, embedded with 32 small vibratory actuators.

The frequency and amplitude of each actuator can be adjusted independently to generate a discrete sense of touch in the corresponding locations of the skin.

Ex US Army Sergeant Garrett Anderson (left) shaking hands with his prosthetic arm while wearing Northwestern Universitys wireless patch, a new second-skin 'virtual reality' technology which facilitates the sense of touch

Artificial skin can comfortably adhere to curved skin surfaces without bulky batteries and cumbersome cables, according to researchers at Northwestern University. Many different types of "electronic skin" devices have been made that can be folded, stretched or attached to the person's skin to generate energy or detect their heart rate, for example.