Robotics is growing in popularity across all sectors. Delivery robots, industrial robots, medical robots, etc., have just become a new normal in the past few years. The technology is soon expected to maintain a strong foothold in laboratories as well. According to a study by Astute Analytica, the global laboratory robotics market is forecast to record a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.
Why laboratory robots are gaining prominence?
Technology brings a new convenience, and robotics is expected to do wonders in the medical industry. While every sector is witnessing the scope of technology, the medical sector is also acing the race of innovations. Laboratories require impeccable technology to help scientists carry out precise research. Here is the list of ways how robotics is contributing to laboratories.
Reducing Experiment Variability
Variability frequently occurs in sample preparation because hand scientific approaches are inherently unpredictable. Robotics are used in research and development to reduce variation caused by human error.
MedPharm recently developed a device that could combat the problem related to variation associated with manual wounding. It precisely makes a cut to a series of eight wounds to a specific depth and circumference.
The device also has other advantages, such as doubling output by allowing the screening of 15–20 compounds simultaneously.
Increased Productivity
Labwork processes need continuous motions, thereby decreasing the productivity of lab staff. Automation robots can perform these repetitive tasks with equal productivity. Scientists can pay attention to their resources and invest more time in writing papers and new projects. Moreover, robots can be customized as staff members can anytime program instruments to perform. It also slows them to participate in meetings and consult with colleagues without the need to halt the ongoing task.
Cost and Space Savings
Laboratory automation can also help organizations in cost savings, which is another area of advantage. Automated robots are more accurate and efficient at using reagents, which can reduce waste in addition to lowering costs through greater output.
Additionally, modern automation robots and lab scheduling software can do a variety of tasks often without requiring much physical space and efficiently utilize the area that is already present. Thus, such benefits are expected to drive their demand in the coming years.
H-Bots recently made headlines as the firm unveiled H-Labs, the first and largest robotics R&D ecosystem in India. The growing interest in technology is projected to bring untapped growth potential for the overall industry in the coming years.
Safer Working Conditions
Laboratories have to abide by tight procedures to safeguard the personnel, tools, and test materials from accidents. Accidents still occur in the process sometimes. Thus, laboratory robots can help avoid such cases. One can, for instance, specify safety limits that, if exceeded, will sound an alarm and even instruct the software to halt the test or experiment.
Automated machinery is exact, never gets tired, and doesn’t make mistakes or have accidents. One of the most significant advantages of laboratory automation is safety.
Customizable Laboratory Automation
To meet a lab’s needs, laboratory automation software is very customizable. The modules can be chosen by labs based on their requirements, and they can even alter them as needs change. Since updates are regularly released, laboratories can make sure that systems are safe and have the newest features working.
Reducing Sample Preparation Time
Due to the time-consuming nature of manual sample preparation, laboratories can only perform limited tasks according to the staff members. However, robotics can solve this problem by examining samples continuously.
As you can see, laboratory automation has a wide range of unmistakable advantages. Most labs, even tiny ones, can benefit from automated technologies to boost productivity and enhance their research because of the declining cost of adoption. Additionally, as automated systems continue to evolve, they will eventually be a standard feature in all labs throughout the world.
Recently, SP Robotics Maker Lab opened an application for Franchises. The firm is expecting to establish 100+ centers in the coming years. Apart from that, Thermofisher Scientific, one of the renowned players in the laboratory robotics industry, announced its partnership with Astex Pharmaceuticals in 2018 to elevate the drug discovery and development program. Other firms like PerkinElmer Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Siemens AG, etc., are continuously making efforts to bring outperforming solutions for the laboratories. Thus, all of these factors are forecast to bring a new revolution in the healthcare domain.
