Pancakes are still booming in Japan. It seems that on weekends, many people travel from the countryside to Omotesando to stand in line to try them. But pancakes are part of the daily breakfast menu in the United States. Children in particular not only eat pancakes but also enjoy "pancake art," drawing pictures on a hot plate with pancake batter, just like monjayaki in Japan.

"Pancake Art (?)" Examples of
"Pancake Art (?)" Examples of

The "PancakeBot" is a special printer for pancakes that makes drawing with pancakes even easier. The world's first "smart hotplate" with the catchphrase, "Pancakes are not just for grilling, they are for creating.

PancakeBot, a printer dedicated to pancakes
PancakeBot, a printer dedicated to pancakes

To use the "PancakeBot," users design their own "pancake art" using the included drawing software on their computer. The created data is then saved to an SD card. Insert the SD card into the SD card slot of the "PancakeBot" and press the print button.

Pancake art" designed with drawing software
Pancake art" designed with drawing software

Reproduced on a hot plate
Reproduced on a hot plate

The included drawing software comes with a tracing function, so you can trace your favorite photos or children's drawings and convert them into data. It is possible to cook pancakes with a design similar to the original photo or drawing.

If you trace a photo of the Eiffel Tower
If you trace a photo of the Eiffel Tower

The "Eiffel Tower Pancake" is ready to serve!
The "Eiffel Tower Pancake" is ready to serve!

If you load a company logo, you can serve pancakes in the shape of the logo to your employees at a company party.

Example of company logo baked on pancake: Logo of sister site "En-En-En" (Note: This logo is hand-baked by En-En-En editorial staff)
Example of company logo baked on pancake: Logo of sister site "En-En-En" (Note: This logo is hand-baked by En-En-En editorial staff)

The unfortunate thing about PancakeBot is that it is not a 3D printer. I think children would be more excited if they could cook three-dimensional pancakes.

However, isn't it fun enough to draw this much? (Note: The image above is an example of pancakes made with the "PancakeBot.)
However, isn't it fun enough to draw this much? (Note: The image above is an example of pancakes made with the "PancakeBot.)

StoreBound, the developer of the PancakeBot, is currently seeking investors on the crowdfunding site Kickstarter for the commercialization of the PancakeBot. The company has already succeeded in raising more money than its goal. The price is expected to be $299 after launch, and the product will be available for $179 on kickstarter (shipping not included).