RoboCake: Baking robotics science and culinary art

Recent advances in edible robotics and edible electronics offer great potential for novel forms of culinary art with enriched and multisensory dining experiences. However, these technologies have yet to reach our tables as truly palatable food items, mainly due to prioritized effort in functionality over flavor, lack of consistency, and use of materials that are not readily available to chefs. In this work, we gastronomically revisited two edible technologies, an edible pneumatic actuator and an edible battery, to enhance their palatability while preserving their intended functionalities. We validated these novel food items in the form of a three-tier robotic cake (RoboCake), featuring animated gummy bears and edible batteries that power decorative LED candles. RoboCake was exhibited at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, enabling us to conduct a large-scale survey to assess consumer understanding and perception. The survey results revealed overall positive impressions and a strong willingness to eat robotic food, suggesting substantial potential for these edible technologies in gastronomy, hospitality, and food industries.