robotic wedding cake moves using edible rechargeable batteries

robotic wedding cake powered by edible rechargeable batteries

Researchers from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia develop a robotic wedding cake with dancing gummy bears using edible rechargeable batteries. Shown at Expo 2025 Osaka in the Swiss Pavilion, the RoboCake is part of the EU-funded RoboFood project in collaboration with pastry chefs and food scientists from EHL in Lausanne. At the top of the wedding cake powered by rechargeable batteries, the two red gummy bears dance, created by the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems at EPFL.

The researchers say they’re made from gelatin, syrup, and colorants. They dance because they have an internal pneumatic system. The injected air in the gummy bears goes through dedicated pathways, and as a result, their heads and arms move. They’re safe to eat alongside the robotic wedding cake with edible rechargeable batteries. In fact, they are chewable, just like the typical gummy bears, plus they have a sweet pomegranate flavor. What makes them sway, other than the pneumatic system, is the set of dark chocolate discs on the bottom tier of the dessert.

all images courtesy of EPFL | photos by Jamani Caillet

Dark chocolate discs power up the dessert

These discs of dark chocolate are the edible rechargeable batteries. It’s the researchers from Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, coordinated by Mario Caironi, that have developed these. They make them with vitamin B2, quercetin, activated carbon, and chocolate. On top of that, they’re safe to eat, like the gummies. These edible rechargeable batteries on the robotic wedding cake also power up the LED candles. Guests are in for a surprise bite too because the researchers say that the first flavor they taste is dark chocolate.

After that, there’s a tangy kick because of the edible electrolyte mixed in, but only for a few seconds. The researchers have also teamed up with food experts and pastry chefs from EHL Hospitality Business School to make the robotic wedding cake with rechargeable batteries appetizing to eat. So far, the RoboCake appears at Expo 2025 Osaka in the Swiss Pavilion. The research also demonstrates the use of robotic science in gastronomy. It can also potentially reduce electronic waste by producing edible components made of safe-to-eat ingredients.

meet RoboCake, a robotic wedding cake with dancing gummy bears and edible rechargeable batteries