Automation is revolutionising a variety of sectors and industries today. Its use cases are abundant and often context specific, working to resolve many age-old problems found in a variety of professions and fields.
More and more lab automation solutions are being adopted in scientific environments – especially so in life sciences and clinical chemistry. With the capabilities to transform how research staff and students alike manage their R&D, automation doesn’t just make everyday tasks more efficient, it also accelerates the time to reach overarching conclusions, too.
Defining lab automation
Lab automation is a broad term for processes and practices that can be automated through the use of technology in science labs. This helps to streamline workflows – saving time, reducing costs, and managing increasing workloads.
It typically combines hardware with software, and manifests in many different ways.
Science is a broad field, with an equally vast array of automation solutions that make use of different technologies, and work to serve different use cases.
Laboratory automation technologies
Automation technologies utilise computer software, machines or other technologies to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be carried out by a human.
It might be worth mentioning that, while there is some overlap, automation technology does differ from robotics. Robotics uses programmable machines work to carry out tasks semi-autonomously, or even completely autonomously. They correspond to the world around them using sensors or actuators, whereas automation might typically use software – alongside machine learning algorithms – to process a function. Robotics can however be used within automation solutions.
Naturally, different labs and fields of science benefit from different automation solutions. Small labs may use systems that automate specific tasks, such as centrifugation, cell imaging and next generation sequencing, whereas larger labs might use technology that is effective for total lab automation.
There are different tasks that can be automated and therefore there are varying technologies to suit these tasks. Examples of these are:
- Autosamplers
- Imaging systems and analytics
- Liquid handling
- Automated/robotic workstations
- Intergrated software
- Titrators
Discover how lab automation can accelerate science and drive innovation.
What can lab automation technologies do?
Alongside taking manual, menial and repetitive tasks out of the hands of scientists (at least some of them anyway), reducing the need to engage in strenuous tasks, and reducing bottlenecks, lab automation frees up scientists to better use their bright minds elsewhere.
Automating processes or tasks also reduces the chances of disruption caused by human error, or human nature – machines are much less susceptible to getting distracted at least!
There are thousands of tasks that can be automated through new and emerging technologies, below are just a few:
- Liquid handling
- High throughput screening
- Plate replication
- Quality control
- LIMS and LIS integrations
- Sample sorting
- Library preparation
- While these are some of the tasks that can be automated in a lab, there are entire workflows that can also be automated.
Partial lab automation vs lab workflow automation
There are two ways in which a scientist or lab manager can implement automation within their lab. This can be a partial automation or an entire lab workflow automation.
Partial automation is responsible for particular lab processes, mechanizing a task that would usually have been conducted or monitored by a human. With partial automation, human intervention is still necessary in between steps.
Lab workflow automation is an integrated automation system that automates entire assays. This is often one larger, purpose-built machine that links various processes and workflows, combining both hardware and software.
So, what does laboratory workflow automation look like?
- Can run 24/7, extending operation time
- Usually controlled through a single interface
- Enables scheduling of each task and process
- Provides end-to-end automation for pre and post analytical phases of testing
- Can combine a variety of lab automation equipment
- Requires less human intervention than isolated automation tools
Neither option is necessarily ‘better’ than the other. Both partial lab automation and entire workflow automation are lab specific, and the choice of automation depends on your work and objectives.
Some might think that automating a process is the right solution, but that’s not always the case. Lab automation isn’t always a problem-solving solution, and can present challenges such as understanding the software or technology, trouble shooting, the technology not actually being cost efficient, and presenting new responsibilities for staff.
Before opting for automated solutions, it’s good to assess whether the equipment is needed, whether you have the budget, and whether it’ll deliver ROI – if that’s what your goal is.
Although there are some considerations, there are of course, many benefits these kinds of systems can offer. Lab automation solutions are working to increase productivity – by achieving a higher rate of output, increasing walkaway time, and giving scientists time back from previously laborious and time-consuming tasks.
Automation technologies also can assist with enhanced reproducibility, better data accuracy, and quicker translation.
Read more of the benefits of lab automation for accelerating science.
Freedom to innovate
Laboratory automation solutions are supercharging scientists, alleviating them from mundane tasks and giving them more freedom to innovate, create, experiment and discover. High-tech, automated solutions might not be for every lab, but there are numerous technologies that can aid each and every project –while leveraging quicker discovery.
Lumi is an intelligent, vision-based monitoring system that captures and analyses operational and experimental data. Through a LabEye camera, Lumi observes experiments – and automation systems – and uses machine learning to analyse the details. The technology is quick to set up and easy to use, so you won’t have to worry about any teething issues.
An extra pair of eyes, ears, and a brain in the lab, Lumi is a next-generation technology, augmenting scientists to excel.
Want to know more about Lumi? Discover our 21st century automation tool here.