
Ambitious project aims to teleport delicious sushi right in front of you.
Ever since 3D printing became a thing, mankind has speculated if there’s a way to replicate food in both tastes and looks. After all, that piece of hyper realistic-looking chicken wing might as well be a piece of decoration if you can’t eat it, right?
And now Team Open Meals aims to use that technology to usher in a new era of experiencing food. The concept revolves around a sushi chef making a piece of mouthwatering sushi which gets scanned and subsequently replicated at another location using their revolutionary Pixel Food Printer.
▼ The future of food is here.
So how will it work? Scanning food is a relatively simple process, but recreating it is what the team is currently pouring all its efforts into.
Like its namesake, the Pixel Food Printer stacks tiny 5-millimeter cubes of colored, flavored gelatin in the shape of scanned food. Ultra-precision machinery ensures that all the cubes go to the right places.
▼ Here’s a video of an experiment using acrylic cubes.
▼ With professional showmanship coursing through its wires,
the robot flourishes a cube for audiences to examine.
After assembling the acrylic pixel sushi, the incredibly polite robot sets down a mock cup of green tea and gives the dish a gentle push towards the customer before giving one last bow.
What a courteous machine! Why, if I had a robot child, I would send it to Team Open Meals for education without a second thought.
▼ Unfortunately, the slippery texture of actual gelatin cubes
is a bit of a challenge for the machine.
Sure it may feel like you’re munching a bunch of cubes right now, but the team hopes to one day shrink the cubes to 3 millimeter and 1 millimeter sizes for more accurate reproduction.
Although it seems like a page out of a science fiction novel, perhaps one day humankind will be able to print out delicious pizzas or delectable desserts shared on social media.
Japan is already a master at duplicating food in plastic form, and with Team Open Meals spearheading their ambitious projects, such futuristic dreams could very well turn into reality.
Source: OPEN MEALS, FOOD BASE, ウェブ電通報
Images: YouTube/Team Open Meals
[ Read in Japanese ]



New limited-edition 3-D printed Japanese sweets designed with weather data now available in Tokyo
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new fireworks collection that captures the beauty of a summer festival
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Japan’s popular curry chain Cocoichi has an elusive delivery-only noodle menu
Japan’s favorite quasi-local curry launches convenience store version – Does it match the real deal?
Japan’s ultracompact kei car taxis are now ready for travelers to ride, if you know where to find them
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa