The image of injecting edible ink into the drink using a special nozzle with a small robot arm drew the attention of visitors.
According to Yanko Design, an overseas design media outlet, Santori introduced “Lidris” technology to draw 3D designs inside beverages at the Park Cafe Pavilion in Osaka and Kansai Expo in 2025. Leadless works by inserting patterns inside beverages with precision, rather than drawing on surfaces like ordinary latte art. The preset design is completed in about 30 seconds. The design stays indoors for up to an hour without being disturbed even when tilted.
The beverage used by Reedless is a dedicated soft drink manufactured by a separate recipe. It is different from existing beverages on the market. You can order similar cider, mango, and pitch flavor instead. Taste customization is also possible.
Edible ink used in design also uses ingredients derived from nature. For example, red ink is made from lycopene pigments extracted from tomatoes and is manufactured based on ingredients considering food safety. All it takes is about 50 centimeters of space in all directions and a power outlet for a regular 100 volts. As the device can be operated with a tablet, anyone can easily use it without special technical knowledge. The device has a user-friendly interface that enables part-timers to be operated.
It increases the possibility of expansion to various places such as event booths, corporate public relations centers, and science education sites as well as cafes. In fact, Santori is considering using it in the field of education so that students can experience and learn scientific concepts such as fluid mechanics, viscosity, and food chemistry directly through Leadless.
The technology is a commercial version of LiDR, which Santori introduced at CES in 2023. At the time, the company won the Innovation Award in Food and Agricultural Technology at CES.
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
