Mobile Manipulator and Workbench Robot for Shared Lab Cell Passaging

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional robot systems require dedicated experimental environments that are separate from typical laboratory settings, making them inflexible and inefficient for tasks like cell passaging, which often involve small-scale, variable procedures.

Innovation Solution

A robot system comprising a mobile manipulator and a workbench robot, controlled by an integrated controller, that operates in a shared laboratory environment, performing cell passaging processes similar to those conducted by researchers, including conveyance and installation of containers between workbenches and other facilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a dedicated robot environment with specialized devices is prepared, then automation capability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot system is designed to perform multiple functions including cell passaging, medium replacement, and sample transport using a single integrated platform. The mobile manipulator can interact with various laboratory equipment (centrifuges, incubators, microscopes) and perform different operational tasks, eliminating the need for separate dedicated robot systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs a mobile manipulator that can dynamically move between different locations and adapt its operations based on real-time experimental conditions. The robot can reposition itself, adjust its manipulation strategies, and respond to changing experimental requirements, providing flexibility without requiring a dedicated fixed infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a dedicated robot environment is prepared, then automation reliability is improved, but ease of operation and shared use between researcher and robot deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation reliabilityVSAvoidshared environment usability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The robot system is designed to perform multiple functions including cell passaging, medium replacement, and sample transport using a single integrated platform. The mobile manipulator can interact with various laboratory equipment (centrifuges, incubators, microscopes) and perform different operational tasks, eliminating the need for separate dedicated robot systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile manipulator acts as an intermediary that can operate independently for automated tasks while also working in coordination with researchers. The robot can autonomously perform routine operations and then hand off tasks or share equipment with researchers, enabling reliable automation without creating a separate isolated environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple dedicated devices are installed for specific processing, then manufacturing precision of experimental procedures is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexperimental procedure precisionVSAvoidnumber of dedicated devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot system is designed to perform multiple functions including cell passaging, medium replacement, and sample transport using a single integrated platform. The mobile manipulator can interact with various laboratory equipment (centrifuges, incubators, microscopes) and perform different operational tasks, eliminating the need for separate dedicated robot systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines multiple operational capabilities into a single mobile manipulator platform that can perform cell handling, medium replacement, and equipment interaction. By merging these functions into one versatile system, the patent reduces the number of separate dedicated devices while maintaining precise control over experimental procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260042214A1Robot system

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 OMRON CORP

AI summary

A robot system includes: a mobile manipulator that has a mechanism for moving on a floor and a mechanism for holding an object; a workbench robot that is fixed to a workbench and that has a mechanism for holding an object on the workbench; and a controller that controls an operation of each of the mobile manipulator and the workbench robot, in which the controller causes the workbench robot and the mobile manipulator to perform a passaging process of cells, the passaging process including conveyance and installation of a container containing the cells between the workbench and another experimental facility.