Researchers at Cornell University have created a robot skin that can produce goosebumps or spikes depending on its mood, according to Tech Xplore. After exploring the idea of tactile sensation, researchers wanted to add more to robots than just human-like expressions. They hoped to expand on the idea of letting robots communicate with humans from touch.

The result was a test robot with big eyes and pads on each side of its head for tangible expression. The pads are manipulated by a program inside the head and covered with elastomer skin. Each pad has two grids of texture units, which are channels to push the air upward and create bubbles. These then turn into goosebumps or spikes, and when the texture change is over they once again merge with the base. The spikes are sucked slightly below the base so they cannot be felt.

Additionally, the program inside the head controls the air pump to provide pressure. If a person wants to interact with the robot they must physically place their hands on the pad. By merging the actions of the bumps to different degrees, the robot can express anger, surprise or happiness through spikes and goosebumps.

Eventually, this research could be used to allow robots to interact with the hearing-impaired or for quiet situations.