A cheap, pipette-wielding robot wants to take over the boring bits of research
The affordable new lab machine promises even small research teams the chance to automate their experiments.
What it does: Basically, the most boring part of lab work. Created by Opentrons, OT-2 uses pre-written code, or custom code created by a researcher, to automatically perform experiments by measuring and moving liquids between containers.
Small-scale automation: Devices to perform pipetting tasks already exist, but they’re too big and expensive for smaller labs to use. OT-2 costs $4,000 and can sit on a standard lab bench, which means more researchers should be able to skip their pipetting.
Increased output: “We tend to think of our robots as a force multiplier, and expect every researcher can multiply their own output in the lab by about three times for every OT-2 they have running,” says Opentrons cofounder Will Canine.
The automated lab: The bot also has an open API, which means users can integrate the robot with things like Amazon Alexa—something scientists are already trying.
Want to stay up to date on the future of work? Sign up for our newest newsletter, Clocking In!
Deep Dive
Uncategorized
Our best illustrations of 2022
Our artists’ thought-provoking, playful creations bring our stories to life, often saying more with an image than words ever could.
How CRISPR is making farmed animals bigger, stronger, and healthier
These gene-edited fish, pigs, and other animals could soon be on the menu.
The Download: the Saudi sci-fi megacity, and sleeping babies’ brains
10 Breakthrough Technologies 2023
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.