Lidris robot by Suntory draws 3d illustrations inside soft drinks
At Expo 2025 in Osaka, Suntory debuts Lidris, a robot that creates three-dimensional illustrations directly inside liquids using drink-drawing technology.
At Suntory’s Park Café pavilion, a glass of lemonade served at Expo 2025 includes the image of the fair’s mascot Myaku-Myaku suspended within the drink, not printed on the surface but formed directly in the liquid in real time. This unexpected moment is made possible by Lidris, the robot that injects food-safe inks with precise fluid control to transform an ordinary drink into a drinkable illustration.
The system behind Lidris combines elements of robotics, food science, and fluid mechanics. A compact drawing device, about the size of a standard coffee machine, uses a specialized nozzle system to inject colored liquids into a soft drink base, layering lines with enough control to maintain their shape within the fluid. The beverage itself is specially formulated to hold the drawings in place, with the right thickness and flow to keep the image clear and stable. According to Suntory, the resulting images can last over an hour indoors, even if the glass is gently moved or shaken.
images courtesy of Suntory
Customizable Beverages on Demand at expo 2025 osaka
While it may appear like a novelty, Lidris by the Japanese beverage company Suntory, is positioned as a broader rethinking of beverage service. The platform is designed to be flexible and customizable, with adjustable flavors, colors, and alcohol content to suit a wide range of occasions, from birthday parties and seasonal events to more commercial applications like branded drinks or themed entertainment. Serving the drink is intended to be part of the experience, with the machine completing the drawing in real time, allowing customers to watch as the design forms in their glass.
Beyond hospitality, the potential use cases for Lidris extend into education and science communication. The technology can serve as a tool for exploring fluid dynamics, food chemistry, and design in interactive and accessible ways. The pigments used to create the designs are made from natural sources, such as lycopene derived from tomatoes, and the machine is compact enough to be installed in small cafés or event venues, requiring just a 50-centimeter square space and a standard power outlet. Operation is simplified through a manual system designed for part-time staff. While still in development, Lidris offers a glimpse into how food, technology, and user experience might intersect in the near future.
Lidris creates three-dimensional illustrations directly inside beverages
the robot injects food-safe inks with precise fluid control inside drinks
the system behind Lidris combines elements of robotics, food science, and fluid mechanics
the machine completes the drawing in real time, allowing customers to watch as the design forms in their glass
the device uses a specialized nozzle system to inject colored liquids into a soft drink base
the resulting images can last over an hour indoors
the pigments used to create the designs are made from natural sources
project info:
name: Lidris
developer: Suntory | @suntory_jp
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