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Robots are being programmed to feel pain and react to it - just like humans do.

The incredible advance sees an artificial robot nervous system being trained to react to pain messages to save themselves from danger.

The project, headed up by scientists from Leibniz University of Hannover, presents an about-face in terms of robotic design for some.

Long thought to be useful for the very reason that they did not feel pain - allowing them to perform unpleasant, dangerous tasks without issue - researchers believe a system to recognise pain will help preserve robots.

(Image: YouTube / IEEE Spectrum)

“Pain is a system that protects us,” researcher Johannes Kuehn told Spectrum IEEE.

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“When we evade from the source of pain, it helps us not get hurt.”

They believe that similar 'motivations' when programmed in robots could help them save their tech from damage, they told the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in Stockholm, Sweden.

(Image: YouTube / IEEE Spectrum)

Mr Kuehn worked with Professor Sami Haddadin on the project, an expert in physical human-robot interaction and safety.

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They believe it may be useful when robots are working closely with humans as it may show upcoming dangers early.