Mobile Robotic Lab Cart for Hybrid Workflow Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laboratory automation systems lack the ability to seamlessly integrate manual and automated processes, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies in high throughput screening due to varying human intervention times and the inability to capture and analyze experiment data effectively.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid approach combining mobile robotic processing vehicles with human collaboration, utilizing auto-navigating robotic processing vehicles equipped with interchangeable end effectors to handle both automation-friendly and manual laboratory devices, along with scheduling software to manage robotic and human workflows, capturing and analyzing experiment data for improved consistency and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual laboratory processes are used, then flexibility in handling various laboratory devices is maintained, but consistency and accuracy of experiment data deteriorate due to varying human intervention times
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile robotic processing vehicle acts as an intermediary between manual laboratory operations and automated data capture systems. The vehicle includes a robot arm that can manipulate laboratory devices and samples, while also incorporating data capture equipment that automatically records experimental parameters and results, thereby bridging the gap between flexible manual handling and consistent automated data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robotic processing vehicle is designed with universal capabilities to handle both automated processing tasks and manual laboratory devices. The robot arm can interface with standardized automated equipment while also being equipped with grippers and tools to manipulate traditional manual laboratory glassware and instruments, allowing a single system to perform multiple functions across different operational modes.
2Reliability
If automated laboratory processing systems are used, then consistency and accuracy of experiment data are improved, but the ability to handle manual laboratory devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robotic processing vehicle serves as an intermediary that combines automated data capture capabilities with the ability to manually manipulate laboratory devices. The vehicle incorporates sensors and data logging equipment that automatically record experimental parameters, while the robot arm can physically handle both automated equipment interfaces and traditional manual laboratory glassware, thus maintaining data accuracy while expanding device compatibility.
3Reliability
If a mobile robotic processing vehicle is introduced to integrate manual and automated processes, then consistency and accuracy of laboratory processes are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robotic processing vehicle merges multiple functions into a single integrated platform: the robot arm for physical manipulation, the mobile base for transportation, and the data capture equipment for automated recording. By combining these elements into one cohesive system rather than separate components, the vehicle reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to perform consistent, accurate laboratory processes that integrate both manual and automated operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A laboratory system including a plurality of lab workstations distributed in a lab where each of the plurality of lab workstations is configured to run jobs of a work process, at least one auto-navigating robot processing vehicle that holds a sample holder, and a controller connected to the plurality of lab workstations and the at least one auto-navigating robot processing vehicle. The controller is configured to receive operational job data characterizing each of a number of different jobs that define the work process, receive system data from one or more of the plurality of lab workstations and the at least one auto-navigating robot processing vehicle, and based on the operational job data and the system data, schedule and coordinate each of the number of different jobs that define the work process.