ABB and Agilent Partner to Advance Automated Laboratory Solutions

This new collaboration aims to optimise laboratory operations across diverse industries, further enhancing speed, precision and efficiency through automated solutions.

• Collaboration focuses on speeding up research, testing and quality control
• ABB’s robots to automate repetitive tasks for improved output
• Agilent’s analytical instruments and software to provide seamless data management

The announcement that ABB Robotics and Agilent Technologies have joined forces promises to deliver a suite of automated laboratory solutions designed to streamline core processes in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to energy and food and beverage. In today’s climate, laboratories are under increasing pressure to accelerate research timelines while ensuring meticulous quality standards remain intact. By integrating robotics with advanced analytical instrumentation and software, this collaboration could change how laboratories organise, conduct and analyse their essential tasks.

Delivering Efficiency to Laboratory Environments

According to the agreement, ABB Robotics will be integrating its robotic systems into Agilent’s software and instrumentation portfolio, aiming to remove manual, repetitive processes that often consume significant staff time. By harnessing robotic technology, laboratories may see a reduction in errors, enhanced accuracy of results, and a more consistent workflow. This step could prove particularly relevant for UK-based research institutions looking to remain competitive and cost-efficient in a global landscape.

“By combining Agilent’s state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation and laboratory software solutions with ABB’s advanced robotics, we will empower laboratories to operate with greater speed, precision, and flexibility,” said Marc Segura, President ABB Robotics Division. “By using our robots to automate key processes, this partnership will enable companies to introduce new approaches to carrying out key laboratory tasks. This will improve efficiency and free up laboratory teams to take on more rewarding work.”

In addition to speeding up existing methodologies, the new solutions aim to enhance data integrity, as scientists can expect a streamlined interface between instruments, robotic handling systems and laboratory software. This could facilitate more efficient data collection and analysis, allowing researchers to focus on higher-value tasks such as experimental design or complex data interpretation.

Expanding Automation Through Collaborations

Agilent’s expertise in analytical instrumentation and informatics is seen as a strong match for ABB’s robotics capabilities. “This collaboration with ABB Robotics underscores Agilent’s dedication to fostering an open ecosystem within laboratories, representing a significant advancement in our mission to revolutionize lab operations across diverse markets such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental testing, and food safety,” said Tom Lillig, Vice President and General Manager of the Software Informatics Division at Agilent. “By integrating Agilent’s cutting-edge analytical technologies with ABB’s state-of-the-art robotics, we empower our customers to achieve faster, more reliable results, driving innovation and enhancing scientific outcomes. Seamless interoperability of all instruments, robots, and software is crucial to significantly boosting productivity,” Lillig added.

This new partnership forms part of ABB’s strategy to broaden its automation solutions across different industrial and scientific settings. In 2024, ABB also announced a collaboration with METTLER TOLEDO, integrating its robotic platforms with precision instruments and LabX™ software to further advance laboratory productivity. By pursuing partnerships with a range of technology leaders, ABB is laying out a roadmap for comprehensive automation that addresses the evolving demands placed on labs worldwide.

For researchers and industrial teams in the UK, these developments may herald new opportunities to cut operational bottlenecks, enhance reproducibility of results and allocate resources more strategically. As laboratories continue to push for quicker turnaround times and robust data quality, collaborations such as this provide a glimpse into how robotics and sophisticated analytics can come together to support modern scientific inquiry.