uLAB

Solutions

Smart laboratory automation

With its versatile collaborative robot arms, uLAB ensures intelligent laboratory automation in a variety of fields. Our uLAB increases overall efficiency during workload fluctuations and is easily integrated into the existing LAB-workflow.
The innovative uGO software platform ensures intuitive control of the uLAB workflow via a “Drag & Drop” interface, which allows control over existing peripherals such as centrifuges, analyzers, reagent dispensers, and other devices.
In case you want to use your own Middleware or orchestration Software to run the workflow, we provide international standardize interfaces.
Our uLAB system is not simply minimizing errors, it increases total throughput, and overall lab capacity, all of which result in raising the quality of your results

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uLAB

Technology behind uLAB:

State-of-the-art technology combined with smart AI-powered elements makes uLAB a perfect and safe solution for lab automation.

  • 01

    Autonomous task processing

    uLAB operates without supervision. It relieves the lab staff of repetitive tasks and increases efficiency during workload fluctuations.

  • 02

    Intelligent sample handling

    An integrated AI camera allows uLAB to detect barcodes and cap colors, as well as sort and analyze samples according to their urgency.

  • 03

    Sample storage

    Processed samples are stored securely in the reach of the robot arm and can be re-processed if needed.

  • 04

    Flexibility

    A mobile robot platform allows fast changing between manual and autonomous uLAB operation modes.

  • 05

    Sample level verification

    uLAB recognizes the sample level and adjusts the analyzing process accordingly.

  • 06

    Human safety

    Sensor technology recognizes human presence during autonomous mode, ensuring safe stopping of the system.

  • 07

    Interactive system

    uLAB uses smart audio detection and a chatbot for direct voice interaction with the user.

  • 08

    Intuitive controls

    The uGO software ensures intuitive control and adapts uLAB to your existing lab workflow.

  • 09

    Pneumatic tubes

    For uLAB to remove tasks from pneumatic tubes, a collecting cheek supplied by us is required. Only bombs with sizes ranging from 80mm to 160mm can be processed, and they must have the possibility of being opened from both sides. Additionally, a secondary packaging with a twist lock specified by us is also necessary. Using the de-capping station on the left side of the picture, uLAB opens the pneumatic tube and processes its contents using the mentioned skills. Once completed, the pneumatic tube is returned to the system and placed in a pipe by the customer, where it is automatically sucked in.

  • 10

    Landmark

    uLAB require a reference when performing tasks outside their workbench. Landmarks can be attached to peripheral devices or transfer stations for samples to create references. These landmarks can be linked to corresponding tasks. When the AI camera reads in the landmarks, uLAB knows exactly where the objects to be handled are located and which task is to be performed.

  • 11

    Object detection

    By utilizing the AI camera system, uLAB can easily identify and differentiate between various objects, markings, and colors. The integrated AI in the camera system enables it to determine the best gripping position depending on the end effector used and then sends this information to the cobot. This allows for simple bin picking solutions to be executed. Additionally, uLAB can use color recognition to perform different processes based on the color of the sample tube caps. Selecting the appropriate camera skill allows for immediate task execution without the need for prior AI training.

  • 12

    Decapping

    Our innovative de-capping station features a 3-finger gripper that rotates and removes sample tube caps while the cobot’s end effector securely holds the cap. The process is quick and efficient, allowing for seamless workflow in the lab.

  • 13

    Scan and evaluate barcode

    By utilizing the mounted barcode scanner on the work table of the mobile platform, uLAB has the capability to capture and record the labels of sample tubes for documentation purposes.

  • 14

    Centrifuge interfaces

    With the integration of a centrifuge controller, uLAB can effortlessly connect with existing centrifuges, enabling automated filling and emptying. uLAB is capable of handling individual sample tubes as well as entire racks, and has already integrated systems from Hettich. If requested, compatibility testing can be performed for other centrifuge brands.

Areas of application:

Laboratories

Laboratories are currently facing severe challenges in finding qualified staff. In Germany alone, 4,500 samples have to be processed in one shift by an average of 8 employees. uLAB relieves the employees and minimizes error risks while securing high-quality standards. uLAB is suited for a variety of laboratories in areas like laboratory medicine, pathology and forensics, genetic and pharmaceutical testing, industrial hygiene, and environmental medicine just to name a few possibilities.

Hospitals

Processing time is one of the most important factors in hospital laboratories. Urgent samples have to be analyzed in less than an hour while the priorities of other samples still have to be considered. uLAB sorts and prioritizes samples according to their urgency automatically ensuring fast and qualitative analysis in emergencies.

Food and Cosmetic Industries

Testing is crucial to ensure the quality, safety, and authenticity of food, beverages, feed, chemicals, and cosmetics. uLAB is also suited for use in food processing cleanrooms as it meets the highest cleanroom standard A for the EU GMP and the ISO 5 standard for the US FDA.

Material and Environmental Services

With the ongoing effects of climate change, environmental analytics gain more and more significance. uLAB helps meet the growing demand while maintaining high-quality standards not only in environmental analytics, but also with material quality testing. Digital sample documentation minimizes errors and risks during the analysis.

Educational Institutions

Automating laboratories at universities and other educational institutions can help reduce the overall time for long-term tests and experiments. uLAB works autonomously, without a need of constant supervision, which can speed up the testing process by operating at night after the regular staff has gone home. With an optional mobile platform for the robot arm, the lab operating mode can be easily switched between an autonomous nightshift and a manual dayshift.

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uLAB Features and Functions:

  • 01

    Loading and operation of centrifuges, diagnostic equipment, and various peripherals

  • 02

    Connection to laboratory information management systems (LIMS)

  • 03

    Use of standard APIs from medical, pharmaceutical, and food sectors

  • 04

    Intelligent sample handling through smart identification and prioritization

  • 05

    Capping and de-capping of samples

  • 06

    Sample level monitoring

  • 07

    Automated sample quality control by documenting the sample and analysis information

  • 08

    Storage and archiving of samples

  • 09

    Various pick-and-place tasks

  • 10

    Communication with the operator through audio recognition and a smart chatbot

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