Summary: Opentrons Labworks introduces the Flex Prep robot, equipped with intuitive no-code software, allowing users to quickly set up and execute pipetting tasks via a touchscreen interface, revolutionizing lab automation.
Takeaways:
- No-Code Automation: The Flex Prep robot’s no-code software lets users set up pipetting tasks in under a minute without specialized training, making lab automation more accessible.
- Versatile Pipetting Capabilities: Flex Prep combines ease of use with the ability to handle both basic and complex pipetting protocols, offering labs enhanced flexibility.
- Cost-Effective Scalability: Designed for labs of all sizes, Flex Prep provides an affordable entry into automation, with features that can grow alongside evolving lab needs.
Opentrons Labworks, a provider in lab automation and accessible robotics, announced the launch of the Opentrons Flex Prep robot, paired with new no-code software that allows users to quickly set up a pipetting task and to execute that workflow all through the Flex Prep touchscreen.
How the Opentrons Flex Prep Fits into Lab Workflows
This system can integrate seamlessly into lab workflows, allowing users to set up pipetting tasks via an intuitive touchscreen interface. Flex Prep combines the simplicity of a pipette with the power and versatility of a liquid handler, providing scientists with both ease of use and enhanced capability, according to the company. With the touchscreen software, users can develop, visualize, and run pipetting tasks in as little as one minute.
The Flex Prep enables users to control basic pipetting tasks, like those currently performed with multi-channel or electronic pipettes, while also offering the flexibility to execute more complex protocols when needed. The no-code software further enhances the use of the robot by allowing rapid, precise liquid transfers, freeing up researchers to focus on more critical aspects of their experiments.
“Robotic liquid handling doesn’t have to be complicated or require special know-how,” says James Atwood, general manager, Robotics at Opentrons. “With the Flex Prep and its no-code software, we’re enabling researchers to delegate repetitive pipetting tasks to our robots, in just a minute or two with no special training needed. It’s as simple as asking, ‘What pipetting tasks would you delegate to your Flex Prep?’”
This launch expands Opentrons’ market reach, empowering bench scientists with no prior laboratory robotics experience to incorporate automated pipetting into their workflows. The Flex Prep is particularly attractive to those seeking an affordable yet versatile solution that grows with their laboratory needs.
“For scientists who have yet to adopt automation, these new capabilities offer a compelling reason to reconsider,” says Jonathan Brennan-Badal, CEO of Opentrons. “Our Flex Prep is not only a cost-effective entry point but also a smart investment for labs looking to scale up their automation with a system that evolves with their needs.”
