Benjamin Brumm
Whether in medical diagnostics, research or quality assurance laboratories, the demand for sample processing and the requirements for precision and speed are constantly increasing. However, when routine manual tasks such as pipetting or sorting take a lot of time, this leads to stress and monotony among laboratory staff.It also inhibits the potential productivity of laboratories.in this article, we therefore explain which typical activities robots can already automate in laboratories today - and what specific benefits this brings.
1. sample preparation and pipetting
What is it about?
Sample preparation is one of the most labor-intensive and time-consuming activities in the laboratory. Manual pipetting is not only error-prone, but also physically demanding for employees. In addition, it takes a lot of concentration to always hit the right pipetting volume and avoid contamination.
Why automate?
- Greater precision and reproducibility: a robot repeats each step in exactly the same way and avoids human error due to fatigue or carelessness.
- Relief for staff: Instead of spending hours at the pipette, the laboratory team can use their expertise in more value-adding areas, such as the interpretation of analysis results. Personnel costs can also be saved by automating simpler and repetitive tasks in particular.
- Time and cost savings: With the support of robots, it is possible to process samples autonomously over longer periods of time without human intervention. The processing time is also reduced without compromising on quality.
Practical example
6-axis industrial robots, such as HORST robot systems , can be equipped with sensitive gripping systems suitable for use in laboratories in order to dispense reagents with high precision. With appropriately equipped software, the pipetting setup can be intuitively defined graphically and quickly and easily adapted to new methods or protocols.
2. sample logistics and sorting
What is it about?
Especially in the daily routine of clinical laboratories or service laboratories , sample tubes accumulate in large numbers, have to be scanned, verified and distributed to various analysis devices. Archiving - for example in refrigerators or deep-freeze systems - also ties up capacity.
Why automate?
- To cushion gaps during busy periods: samples usually reach laboratories at certain peak times, e.g. at midday after the morning collection in hospitals or doctors' surgeries, and then have to be analyzed quickly. This means that there are peak periods of a few hours for which it is difficult to find suitable personnel help. To avoid having to entrust highly qualified and paid specialists with simple tasks, a robot can "step in" much more cost-effectively.
- Accelerated throughput times: A robotic arm with an integrated camera can continuously sort sample tubes, scan barcodes and divide the samples appropriately.
- Fewer errors and mix-ups: Seamless data capture (via scanners, for example) drastically reduces incorrect sorting.
- Night-time operation possible: In contrast to purely manual sorting, which would require a night shift, a robot system can continue to work in a "ghost shift" without personnel.
Practical example
Several laboratory networks in Europe are already using robotic solutions for sample logistics that sort several hundred tubes every hour. The robots can be stationed on a mobile platform so that they can be positioned at the sampling location and quickly repositioned if necessary - for example, from sorting to machine loading.
3. loading of analyzers
What is it about?
Although devices such as centrifuges, PCR systems, spectrometers or chromatographic analysis units are partially automated, they usually require manual feeding and removal. As a result, expensive equipment sometimes remains unused between processing steps.
Why automate?
- Optimum utilization of equipment: A robot can load and remove samples around the clock. This means that every free minute is utilized.
- Consistent process quality: The movements for gripping and positioning the samples can be defined in advance so that they are loaded and unloaded reliably and with repeat accuracy. This minimizes damage to sensitive sample containers.
- Flexible setup: Modern automation solutions can also be installed in confined laboratory spaces. The particularly compact HORST600 variant, for example, only requires a 230V connection and can be operated safely with a safety fence or laser monitoring, even in the tightest of spaces.
Practical example
In a diagnostics center, a robot with a double gripper can remove samples from racks around the clock, insert them into an analysis device and then place the processed tube in a separate tray for archiving. The laboratory staff only check the results instead of carrying out repetitive loading processes.
4. sample archiving andstock management
What is it all about?
Depending on the industry, samples and retained samples are sometimes stored for months or years. Sorting them into storage racks or locating individual samples for later re-analysis often means an immense administrative effort.
Why automate?
- Fast, error-free storage and retrieval: a robot picks up archived samples with high precision. Using data links (barcode and laboratory IT), it can navigate to the correct position without personnel having to search in cold rooms or freezers.
- Reduced physical strain: heavy archive boxes are no longer necessary for the team. This improves working conditions, especially when working in low-temperature units.
- Greater overview thanks to digital networking: the software automatically logs every storage and retrieval operation. For audits or queries, it is immediately clear which sample tube is located.
Practical example
Laboratories often implement a combination of robot application and automatic storage system (e.g. freezer or refrigerator module). Robot software that is open to many systems in terms of interface communication helps here, so that every movement can be documented. Innovative software solutions such as horstOS also utilize the advantages of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. For example, the software can be set to proactively inform the user when certain samples need to be brought to the surface.
5 Documentation andqualitycontrol
What is it about?
In many laboratories, documentation is still done manually - for example, when checking filling levels, calibrating pipettes or recording test results. This ties up personnel and is prone to errors. This is why reliable traceability is such an important issue for laboratories and basically affects all processing steps.
Why automate?
- Seamless data acquisition:Traceability is particularly important when a sample passes through several steps within a laboratory. In the event of unexpected results, it should be clear as quickly as possible how these came about. A fully automated process in which every action of the robot is documented makes this much easier compared to successive manual work steps.
- Avoiding human error: Regulatory requirements regarding traceability are becoming ever stricter, and with them the demands for precision in laboratories are increasing. However, human error (e.g. during labeling or due to contamination) can never be completely ruled out. Automation, on the other hand, guarantees uniform documentation of all processes and ensures reliable and easy-to-find records - without the need for human intervention.
- Real-time feedback: If deviations such as low fill levels are detected, the system can issue a warning and interrupt the process if necessary
- No redundant manual work: Employees focus on interpreting the data instead of spending their valuable time filling out forms or manually checking inventories.
Practical example
An industrial robot with an integrated camera travels to sample stations, films/scans fill levels or color changes and automatically transmits the measured values to the laboratory software. A central control system can provide security by stopping the process in the event of discrepancies and alerting staff at the same time - without any loss of time.
Conclusion: Benefit quickly,growflexibly
These five examples show that significant gains in efficiency, quality and time can be achieved by automating individual laboratory processes. If you opt for a modular approach - based on the easy-to-operate industrial robot HORST for example- you can even start small and expand step by step. This allows you to benefit immediately from shorter throughput times and a lower error rate without having to invest time and money in special systems.
The advantage
- Relieve your teams of physically strenuous or monotonous tasks
- Round-the-clock operation for time-critical situations or during peak periods
- Future-proof thanks to retrofittable system components and software updates
- Rapid amortization thanks to low acquisition and maintenance costs
Investing in a robotic solution now will make your laboratory fit for the constantly increasing demands on speed, quality and efficiency - and create ideal conditions to relieve the workload on specialist staff and increase the quality of results.
Curious?
We would be happy to advise you personally on which process in your laboratory offers the greatest potential for automation. This will enable you to start automating your samples, devices and documentation with robotic support in no time at all - step by step, individually adapted to your requirements.