# Episode 168: Advancing robotics with novel electronics - Zlatka Stoeva

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2026-10-30
- Length: 28m
- Episode: 168
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-30-episode-168-advancing-robotics-with-novel-electronics-zlatka-stoeva
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-168-advancing-robotics-with-novel-electronics-zlatka-stoeva

## Summary

Zlatka Stoeva, founder and managing director of DZP Technologies, explains how her company develops flexible, stretchable, and soft printed electronics for dexterous robots. She details the development of stretchable wires, tactile sensing skins, and robust interconnects, noting that 10-20% stretchability is more practical for industry than academic claims of 100%. Stoeva also discusses the challenge of modeling time-dependent soft materials using hybrid physical and machine learning approaches, and highlights the importance of sustainable, recyclable materials for the future of robotics.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-30-episode-168-advancing-robotics-with-novel-electronics-zlatka-stoeva#t=6) Introduction: Zlatka Stoeva and DZP Technologies
- [3:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-30-episode-168-advancing-robotics-with-novel-electronics-zlatka-stoeva#t=205) From materials chemistry to soft robotics
- [8:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-30-episode-168-advancing-robotics-with-novel-electronics-zlatka-stoeva#t=487) ARIA-funded project: stretchable wires and sensors
- [12:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-30-episode-168-advancing-robotics-with-novel-electronics-zlatka-stoeva#t=735) Stretchability limits: 10-20% vs 100% claims
- [14:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-30-episode-168-advancing-robotics-with-novel-electronics-zlatka-stoeva#t=898) Modeling soft electronics: physical and ML approaches
- [20:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-30-episode-168-advancing-robotics-with-novel-electronics-zlatka-stoeva#t=1243) Applications in medical robotics and sustainability

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- DZP Technologies (company)
- ARIA (other)
- graphenings (material)
- nitro glove (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [168: Put Your Gear on the Ping Pong Table](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-14-168-put-your-gear-on-the-ping-pong-table) (Embedded.fm)
- [234. How Candy-Making Inspired the Future of Smart Textiles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-02-234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [495: Shortcut the Difficulties of Reality](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-02-21-495-shortcut-the-difficulties-of-reality) (Embedded.fm)
- [Mystery Raspberry Pi hardware, beautiful ESP32 ZX Spectrum, Stretchy PCBs and MUCH more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-10-09-mystery-raspberry-pi-hardware-beautiful-esp32-zx-spectrum-stretchy-pcbs-and-much) (The Electromaker Show)
- [512: What if I Didn't Stop?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-10-16-512-what-if-i-didnt-stop) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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