# 219. Edible Robots Bring Tech to the Dessert Table

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2025-05-06
- Length: 14m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-05-06-219-edible-robots-bring-tech-to-the-dessert-table
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/219-edible-robots-bring-tech-to-the-dessert-table-NBLj0GYK

## Summary

The hosts discuss the 'robo cake' created by researchers at EPFL, featuring dancing gummy bears powered by edible batteries made from chocolate, vitamin B2, and activated carbon. They explore the potential of edible electronics to reduce electronic waste and enable new applications in medicine and food safety, while also appreciating the intersection of robotics and culinary arts as experiential gastronomy.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-05-06-219-edible-robots-bring-tech-to-the-dessert-table#t=0) Introduction and Sponsor Read
- [2:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-05-06-219-edible-robots-bring-tech-to-the-dessert-table#t=179) The EPFL Robo Cake and Dancing Gummy Bears
- [5:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-05-06-219-edible-robots-bring-tech-to-the-dessert-table#t=342) Edible Batteries and Power Sources
- [6:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-05-06-219-edible-robots-bring-tech-to-the-dessert-table#t=400) Reducing Electronic Waste and Food as Art
- [11:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-05-06-219-edible-robots-bring-tech-to-the-dessert-table#t=680) Future Applications: Medicine and Nutrition

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- EPFL (company)
- Mouser Electronics (company)
- robo cake (product)
- Harry Potter (other)
- Alenia (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 277: Edible Robots, a Personal Eclipse, and DIY PCBs to Die For](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-28-episode-277-edible-robots-a-personal-eclipse-and-diy-pcbs-to-die-for) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Household Robots Are Now Available, Moonwalker Shoes Help You Walk Faster, And More | Hard Tech #3](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-04-household-robots-are-now-available-moonwalker-shoes-help-you-walk-faster-and-mor) (Hard Tech Podcast)
- [Ep084: Awful Floppy Disk Music, Robot Climbs Walls, An Undersea Lab, Inside a Digital Pregnancy Test](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-09-11-ep084-awful-floppy-disk-music-robot-climbs-walls-an-undersea-lab-inside-a-digita) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep068: Picky Feeders, Slaggy Tables, Wheelie Droids, and Janky Batteries](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-05-22-ep068-picky-feeders-slaggy-tables-wheelie-droids-and-janky-batteries) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep085: Cable Robots Two-Ways, Cubic Raspberry Pi, Plastic Wrap Kayak, and Digging Inductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-09-18-ep085-cable-robots-two-ways-cubic-raspberry-pi-plastic-wrap-kayak-and-digging-in) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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