Robotic Lab Protocol Translation for Ambiguity-Resistant Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automation in lab environments faces challenges due to non-standardized communication languages between operators and robots, lack of operator expertise, and varying interfaces among equipment and robots, leading to difficulties in parsing protocols and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
A lab automation system that uses a graphic user interface to receive instructions, converts text into actionable steps using a machine-learned model, identifies necessary equipment and reagents, and configures robots to perform operations while resolving ambiguities and errors, thereby standardizing communication and optimizing protocol execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lab system uses multiple different robots and equipment with their own interfaces, then the system can perform diverse protocols, but the communication complexity and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication interface that allows different robots and equipment to interact through a standardized protocol. The system uses a common messaging format with standardized fields for commands, responses, and data exchange, enabling diverse devices to communicate without requiring device-specific interface implementations. This reduces communication complexity while maintaining the ability to perform diverse protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operators manually configure each robot and equipment for automation, then customization is possible, but the time and expertise required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by automatically discovering available robots and equipment when they are added to the lab system. The configuration is pre-established through standardized interface definitions, so when a new device is connected, the system can immediately integrate it without requiring manual operator configuration. This eliminates the time and expertise burden while maintaining customization capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the lab system uses non-standardized communication language, then flexibility in operator input is maintained, but parsing accuracy and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a natural language processing intermediary that translates flexible operator input into standardized protocol commands. The system uses machine learning models to interpret various forms of operator input (text descriptions, voice commands, graphical selections) and convert them into reliable, standardized control commands that robots and equipment can execute accurately. This maintains input flexibility while ensuring parsing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A lab system configures robots to performs protocols in labs. The lab automation system receives, via a user interface, an instruction from a user to perform a protocol within a lab. The instruction may comprise text, and the lab may comprise a robot configured to perform the protocol. The lab system converts, using a machine learned model, the text into steps and, for each step, identifies one or more of an operation, lab equipment, and reagent associated with the step. In response to detecting an ambiguity/error associated with the step, the lab system notifies the user via the user interface of the ambiguity/error. The lab system may receive one or more indications from the user that resolve the ambiguity/error and update the associated steps. For each step, the lab system configures the robot to perform an identified operation, interact with identified lab equipment, and/or access/use an identified reagent.