# 234. How Candy-Making Inspired the Future of Smart Textiles

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2025-12-02
- Length: 17m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-02-234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles-QqJEwKL7

## Summary

The hosts discuss a new stretchy electronic fiber developed by a team at EPFL that combines high conductivity with extreme flexibility using liquid metal and rubber. They explain the thermal drawing process used to manufacture the fiber, comparing it to making fiber optics or hard candy, and highlight its high gauge factor and durability. The conversation explores applications in smart wearables like knee braces, soft prosthetics, and robotic skins for humanoid robots such as Tesla's Optimus.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-02-234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles#t=0) Introduction: Smart Textiles and Mouser Sponsor
- [2:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-02-234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles#t=138) The Challenge: Conductivity vs. Stretchability
- [3:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-02-234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles#t=195) EPFL's Solution: Liquid Metal and Thermal Drawing
- [7:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-02-234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles#t=462) Manufacturing Analogy: Candy and Fiber Optics
- [9:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-02-234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles#t=589) Performance Metrics: Gauge Factor and Durability
- [12:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-02-234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles#t=726) Applications: Wearables, Prosthetics, and Robotics
- [16:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-02-234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles#t=1005) Conclusion: Future of Humanoid Robots

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- EPFL (company)
- Framework (company)
- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Tesla Optimus (product)
- Figure Neo (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)
- [Episode 118: Soft robotics and electronic skin - Miranda Lowther](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-25-episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther) (Robot Talk)
- [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)
- [495: Shortcut the Difficulties of Reality](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-02-21-495-shortcut-the-difficulties-of-reality) (Embedded.fm)
- [Episode Twenty-Seven: Simon Wanstall](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-11-25-episode-twenty-seven-simon-wanstall) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

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