Automating for the future during LabAutomation 2024

Smart solutions in systems, software and services. That is what the annual LabAutomation event stands for. This year it was a success again, with interesting lectures, enthusiastic visitors and a vibrant exhibition floor. Were you unable to attend or do you want to relive the event? Then read on for a short impression of the day.

A diverse group of suppliers is ready in Congrescentrum 1931. The supply varies from life-size liquid handlers to precise measuring instruments and advanced software solutions. The visitors slowly trickle in and admire the impressive equipment at the information market.

Practical examples

Where do you start with automating your laboratory? That is a question that many labs - large and small - will eventually have to deal with. Visitors to LabAutomation 2024 will get an answer to that question through stories from the field. From biobank Lifelines and Irish dairy giant Dairygold, which process millions of samples annually, to the Academic Center for Dentistry. The most important lessons from these experts: think about the future, know your process, be persistent and sometimes it pays to not automate.

“It is an inspiring day with a pleasant atmosphere. I learned a lot and I will take that knowledge back to the lab.” – visitor LabAutomation 2024

Advanced automation

Lifelines collects health data, measurements and samples from 167,000 participants over a period of 30 years. In total, this involves taking, processing and storing tens of millions of samples. The fourth round of research has just started and Hilde Laeremans, team leader Lab&Lifestore, talks about new automation solutions that they are implementing this round. “We have switched from weighing and measuring by a doctor's assistant to a self-measurement device and use a lancing robot to take blood samples.” She calls it 'advanced automation', where the automation is always going one step further.

In addition, the biobank uses a multi-purpose sorting device and has a fully automated -80 storage. Hilde's most important tip is to think carefully about the future. The audience is impressed by the far-reaching automation that Lifelines has implemented in a short time. Because by thinking future-proof, the current storage of over 25 million samples can be expanded to another 30 million by an extension on the roof.

Balance between time savings and costs

Investing in new staff or automating? That is the dilemma that the Academic Centre for Dentistry (ACTA) faced a few years ago. Ultimately, they opted for automation, says Michel Hoogenkamp. He takes the audience through the automation process that they went through last year. “We started by taking stock of our process. It is important that you also think about the infrastructure. You can't just put a robot in an existing fume hood.”

Michel then drew up a business case and explained that automation yields a 47 percent time saving compared to an increase of 64% in costs. “Ultimately, you weigh the balance between time saving and increased costs.” Michel’s most important tip is to manage expectations. “Automation does not necessarily yield time saving. And discuss in advance what automation actually entails. If you present such a plan to an investment committee, they expect a robot with moving arms that does everything for you.”

Helicopter view

Rob Leenders and Huub van Dijk end the day by zooming out. As IT consultants, they visit labs to implement a successful digital strategy. “We often see a patchwork of IT systems without a plan or vision. Choices are made without looking at the bigger picture. In this way, you miss the opportunities that digitalization and innovation offer,” says Huub.

Rob explains that an overview of the application landscape is essential. “Everything is connected, choices in one domain influence the choices in the other. Thinking from an architecture helps with this and gives you a helicopter view.” But Rob also emphasizes that it is a multidisciplinary task: “Those who know the organization best are not in the helicopter at all, but in a train that is just passing through a tunnel.”

After the pleasant networking reception, visitors go home with practical examples, concrete solutions and inspiration to get started themselves.