ABB Robotics and Mettler-Toledo International Inc. join forces to accelerate global adoption of flexible lab automation
- Companies will accelerate adoption of robotic lab technology, redefining the limits of robotics in laboratories to accelerate innovation and address labor shortages
- The collaboration seamlessly integrates ABB robots with METTLER TOLEDO’s LabX™ management software and its connected instruments
ABB Robotics and METTLER TOLEDO, a global supplier of precision instruments and services, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to offer an innovative solution that seamlessly integrates ABB’s robots with LabX™, METTLER TOLEDO’s laboratory instrument management software.
The combined solution will enable greater levels of efficient and high-quality automated laboratory workflows across a range of industries, making research, testing, and quality control more flexible, while accelerating time-to-market and addressing critical labor shortages.
“In combining METTLER TOLEDO laboratory equipment with ABB’s collaborative robots (cobots), communicated through the LabX platform, we will support operations and enable the highest traceability, productivity, and data management in the industry,” said Jose Manuel Collados, Manager of ABB Service Robotics. “By unlocking new possibilities in lab automation, our collaboration with METTLER TOLEDO will create efficiencies and unlock resources in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverage, semiconductors, and battery industries.”
Laboratory automation, working alongside lab technicians, can perform an increasingly sophisticated range of tasks faster, more consistently and with fewer errors than human workers. Yet, the uptake of automation in laboratories is challenged by a gap in the skills needed to handle automation technology and the complexity in setting up highly sensitive workflows.
With the collaboration, METTLER TOLEDO’s LabX software will seamlessly integrate into ABB’s OmniCore ™ robot controllers, enabling LabX to orchestrate robotic lab workflows. By combining the flexibility, ease-of-use and precision of ABB robots with the secure data capture, method control and instrument management of LabX, customers can increase lab productivity, reduce system complexity, fulfill data quality, and safety and regulatory requirements. This also relieves scientists and lab technicians of mundane, repetitive tasks; eliminating common errors; and optimizing productivity – providing lab professionals additional time to pursue higher-value activities, such as data analytics.
“Great innovation starts at the bench, especially when you are able to minimize process times and human error while also supporting the generation of high-quality data and information,” says Stefan Heiniger, Head of Laboratory Division for METTLER TOLEDO. “METTLER TOLEDO and ABB will provide a powerful, intuitive, and standardized toolset that meets the need of laboratories of all sizes and types that will deliver new levels of automation, speed, and insights, while also reducing costs.”
The collaboration is part of ABB’s ongoing strategy to bring the benefits of automation to new segments worldwide and complements the work at the Life Sciences and Healthcare lab at the Texas Medical Center in Houston as well as the newly inaugurated Open Innovation Lab for Life Science and Healthcare in Zhangjiang Robot Valley, Shanghai.
ABB will unveil a new robotic cell showcasing its ability to automate a variety of standard laboratory processes at the SLAS2024 International Conference and Exhibition, February 5-7 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (Booth #465).
METTLER TOLEDO is showcasing its automation capabilities for analytical instruments, material characterization and weighing, as well as the LabX laboratory software at SLAS2024 (Booth #264).
ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation as one of the world’s leading robotics and machine automation suppliers, is the only company with a comprehensive and integrated portfolio covering robots, Autonomous Mobile Robots and machine automation solutions, designed and orchestrated by our value-creating software. We help companies of all sizes and sectors – from automotive to electronics and logistics – become more resilient, flexible and efficient. ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation supports customers in the transition towards the connected and collaborative factory of the future. The business area employs approximately 11,000 people at over 100 locations in approximately 53 countries. go.abb/robotics
METTLER TOLEDO (NYSE: MTD) is a leading global supplier of precision instruments and services. We have strong leadership positions in all of our businesses and believe we hold global number-one market positions in most of them. We are recognized as an innovation leader and our solutions are critical in key R&D, quality control and manufacturing processes for customers in a wide range of industries including life sciences, food, and chemicals. Our sales and service network is one of the most extensive in the industry. Our products are sold in more than 140 countries and we have a direct presence in approximately 40 countries. With proven growth strategies and a focus on execution, we have achieved a long-term track record of strong financial performance. For more information, please visit www.mt.com.
For more information please contact:
Rory Smith
ABB Robotics Global Media Relations
