The laboratory sector is trying to embrace change and use digitalisation to make processes and methods, which still involve a high level of manual and human labour, more efficient. A heterogeneous system landscape with many providers of software and hardware means that this process does not develop the same dynamic as in other sectors. This is also and in particular due to the slow spread and use of general communication and data standards, which are intended to enable an unhindered flow of data.
Flexible automation in the analytical laboratory has the potential to relieve qualified laboratory personnel from repetitive handling tasks and to increase productivity and occupational safety. The combination of intuitive robot programming, a programmable logic controller (PLC) and rapid prototyping using 3D printing enables adaptable automation concepts.