Lab work can be a tedious and time-consuming process, often burdening scientists with repetitive tasks that limit their capacity for innovation and discovery. Recognizing this challenge, Opentrons, a leading biotech company based in New York City, has been dedicated to revolutionizing lab automation and freeing scientists from the shackles of monotonous benchwork.
In anticipation of SynBioBeta’s 2023 annual conference, Opentrons CEO Jonathan Brennan-Badal made an exciting announcement about the company’s latest creation: the Flex Robot. This groundbreaking robot seamlessly integrates cutting-edge hardware with flawless AI compatibility, generating a surge of enthusiasm within the lab automation field. Brennan-Badal will be sharing insights about the Flex Robot in a fireside chat at the SynBioBeta conference on Tuesday, May 23rd.
Building upon the success of Opentrons’ first robot, the OT-2, the Flex Robot takes lab automation to new heights. By combining advanced robotics with a rich ecosystem of open-source software, the Flex Robot enables swift reconfiguration for various applications, providing scientists with a time-saving solution. Additionally, the robot leverages Opentrons’ extensive libraries of over 500 protocols, allowing it to continuously learn and adapt.
Opentrons distinguishes itself by seamlessly integrating advanced AI technologies into its robots, enabling the execution of instructions generated by ChatGPT. Shortly after the release of the OT-2, customers were already training ChatGPT models and developing software to operate the robot. This integration drastically reduces development time, shifting from years to mere weeks. Esteemed institutions like Stanford University’s Endy Lab have harnessed computer vision software on the OT-2 for specialized tasks, such as colony picking. Opentrons aims to further enhance the Flex robot’s integration with ChatGPT-generated instructions, accelerating the application of AI in bioautomation at unprecedented speeds.
An outstanding feature of Opentrons’ robots is their affordability. The initial robot, the OT-2, was priced under $10,000, a fraction of the cost compared to competitors offering similar capabilities. The Flex Robot continues to outpace its rivals with current pricing set at just 10% of the cost of comparable robots in the market. Opentrons’ pricing strategy allows the company to maintain industry-leading margins while offering the most competitive prices. Unlike competitors who rely on assembling subcomponents, Opentrons has built an entirely new ecosystem to deliver a fully functional and affordable robot to the market.
Opentrons’ Flex Robot marks a significant milestone in lab automation, empowering scientists with a cost-effective and time-efficient tool that unleashes their creativity and accelerates groundbreaking discoveries. By seamlessly integrating advanced robotics and AI compatibility, Opentrons is reshaping the landscape of lab work and propelling the scientific community into a new era of productivity and innovation.
