THE human-like abilities of robots continue to develop at incredible pace - with droids now being seen to chase targets and even fire guns.

But now scientists have taken the potential for human-like resemblance to the next level with the creation of an artificial self-healing "skin".

4 The robotic hand healed itself after being stabbed with a knife Credit: Bram Vanderborght

Scientists at the Brije Universiteit Brussel have managed to give robots self-healing properties which allow them to "recover" even if they are stabbed or gashed with a knife.

The development evokes vsisions of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the cyborg assassin in the Terminator movies, but fortunately for humankind, these self-healing robots aren't likely to go on a rampage anytime soon.

For now, they're more likely to be found grabbing fruit, veg and soft products on factory floors.

They could also play an important role in creating human-like prosthetics.

To create these flesh-like robots, the scientists used jelly-like polymers that meld together when heated and cooled.

When present in a gripper, a robotic hand and an artificial muscle, they were able to damage all three without leaving any weak spots.

Professor Bram Vanderborght of BruBotics and Flanders Make said: "The outcome of the research opens up promising perspectives.

"Robots can not only be made lighter and safe, they will also be able to work longer independently without requiring constant repairs."

Killer robots might seem like a long time away from becoming reality but experts have raised concerns that our foes' might use them to build super-strong armies of the future.

Peter Singer, a strategist for the New America Foundation, said the US military needs to brace for battle against killer machines.

4 The rise of immortal machines was predicted in the 1991 Terminator movie Credit: Paramount Pictures

“It’s not just when is it going to happen, but we don’t yet know is it going to privilege the offence or defence, what are going to be the effects of it,” he said.

His thoughts are echoed by Jason Healey, a senior research scholar in cyber conflict at Columbia University.

Healey told the House Armed Services Committee the development of cyborg squads of fighters will happen in the next decade.

4 A scientist pricks the self-healing robotic hand

4 The rubbery polymer looks similar to jelly cubes and can re-heal when warmed up Credit: Bram Vanderborght

“The part of it that particularly worries me the most is that on the defensive side many people are thinking that artificial intelligence, new heuristics, better analytics and automation are going to help the defence, that if only we can roll these things out faster we will be better and the system will be more stable,” Healey said.

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