ABB Robotics and Mettler-Toledo join to accelerate adoption of flexible lab automation

ABB Robotics and Mettler-Toledo, renowned for its precision instruments and services, have formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement is set to offer a cutting-edge solution that integrates ABB’s robots with Mettler-Toledo’s LabX laboratory instrument management software seamlessly.

The integrated solution promises to enhance efficiency and quality in automated laboratory workflows across various sectors, thereby making research, testing, and quality assurance more adaptable. It also aims to hasten the time-to-market for new discoveries and tackle the pressing issue of labour shortages.

“By integrating Mettler-Toledo’s lab equipment with ABB’s collaborative robots (cobots) through the LabX platform, we aim to support operations by ensuring unparalleled traceability, productivity, and data management across industries,” stated Jose Manuel Collados, Manager of ABB Service Robotics. “Our collaborative efforts with Mettler-Toledo will pave the way for new efficiencies in lab automation, benefiting sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverage, semiconductors, and batteries.”

Automation in laboratories, complementing lab technicians, is poised to handle a wide array of tasks with greater speed, consistency, and accuracy than is possible manually. However, the adoption of such automation technologies is often hindered by the skill gap in handling these technologies and the complexity involved in setting up intricate workflows.

Through this partnership, Mettler-Toledo’s LabX software will integrate effortlessly into ABB’s OmniCore robot controllers, allowing LabX to manage robotic lab workflows. This amalgamation of ABB’s robots’ flexibility, user-friendliness, and precision with LabX’s secure data capture, method control, and instrument management capabilities will enable customers to enhance lab productivity, streamline system complexity, and meet data quality, safety, and regulatory standards.

Additionally, it will free scientists and lab technicians from tedious, repetitive tasks, reduce errors, and boost productivity, allowing them to dedicate more time to valuable activities such as data analysis.

“True innovation begins at the bench, particularly when it’s possible to reduce process times and minimise human error, all while generating high-quality data and insights,” remarked Stefan Heiniger, Head of Laboratory Division for Mettler-Toledo. “Together, Mettler-Toledo and ABB will deliver a robust, intuitive, and standardised set of tools tailored to meet the diverse needs of laboratories, driving unprecedented levels of automation, efficiency, and insights, as well as cost savings.”

This initiative aligns with ABB’s strategy to introduce automation benefits to new sectors globally and is complemented by activities at the Life Sciences and Healthcare lab in the Texas Medical Center, Houston, and the newly opened Open Innovation Lab for Life Science and Healthcare in Zhangjiang Robot Valley, Shanghai.

ABB will demonstrate a new robotic cell capable of automating standard laboratory processes at the SLAS2024 International Conference and Exhibition, held from 5th to 7th February at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (Booth #465). Mettler-Toledo will also display its automation capabilities for analytical instruments, material characterisation, weighing, and the LabX laboratory software at SLAS2024 (Booth #264).

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