Taking the first step into lab automation can be difficult—but the challenges don’t stop when your first robot is online. Similarly, even the most innovative automation platform at the most recent SLAS conference is no silver bullet if needs and processes aren’t clearly defined. For laboratories interested in scaling up their automation, it’s crucial to consider not just your needs but also how your plans will integrate or adapt to existing equipment, workflows, and work volumes.
What are your lab automation needs?
Before making scaling decisions, consider your end-to-end workflow. Identify any bottlenecks or pain points that are causing throughput issues—or that may limit throughput after increasing your use of automated technologies. Consult with individuals across all aspects of your lab’s operations, from sample handling to regulatory compliance, to factor their knowledge into your decision-making. Finally, consider your lab’s current and future testing prospects. High demand for a specific analysis or workflow may indicate a strong candidate for advanced laboratory automation, whereas steady demand across domains may suggest a need to prioritize automating multiple functions or those used across multiple workflows, such as automated liquid-handling instruments rather than maximizing the throughput or sophistication of a single system.
Envisioning your lab’s future can also help you determine the best approach to scaling now. For instance, labs that plan to scale further in a stepwise manner may choose modular options that can be upgraded or extended in accordance with needs and budgets. Labs already facing significant time or workforce pressures may choose fully automated workflows with minimal training requirements, select vendors who can provide off-the-shelf protocols and integrations alongside extensive support services, or opt for more heavily artificial intelligence-supported solutions.
What is your lab automation setup?
Not all laboratories can accommodate all workflows. Your lab’s computing power, flexibility, and capacity will determine your lab automation options—from LIMS integrations to data storage and encryption. Existing equipment, software, and even the design of your lab space can further dictate your choices;1 these factors must be embedded into your plans from their earliest stages. Poor planning can lead to inadequate integration, complex or failure-prone workarounds, or hidden costs and inefficiencies that negate the benefits of scaling your laboratory automation.
Lab automation is a journey, not a destination.
To make sure you’re scaling in a way that’s right for your lab, start by mapping out your existing workflows and processes.2 Understand how samples move through the lab physically, how data moves through your systems, and how workloads are distributed between the steps of your existing and anticipated processes. This will not only provide insight into the areas where laboratory automation can confer the greatest benefit but also highlight adjustments that can be made to existing processes ahead of scale-up.
What can you learn?
Lab automation is a journey, not a destination. Once you’ve implemented your chosen solutions, it’s vital to continue monitoring lab functions.3 Are your upgrades meeting all of your lab’s needs and allowing you to achieve key measures of performance? Has resolving one bottleneck introduced another elsewhere? Are your new instruments interfering with existing systems—or even with other considerations such as traffic flow or ergonomics? Labs aiming to maximize the benefits of laboratory automation should regularly revisit their operations and look for enhancement opportunities, especially if bugs or issues arise. By engaging in continuous improvement, your lab can gain insights into how you use your systems, where challenges and pain points may arise, and how you can take the next step into scaling your lab automation.
References:
- Harper A. “The Future of Lab Automation: Opportunities, Challenges, and Sustainable Design Solutions.” Lab Design News. January 28, 2025. https://www.labdesignnews.com/content/the-future-of-lab-automation-opportunities-challenges-and-sustainable-design-solutions.
- Tamburri A, Gamble R. “Planning for Laboratory Automation.” LabCon 2024. June 21, 2024. https://labcon.csmls.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Planning-for-Laboratory-Automation-Presentation-Labcon-2024V5.pdf.
- Monterey Automation. “Embracing the Future of Lab Automation: Strategies for Success.” August 15, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/embracing-future-lab-automation-strategies-success.
