Thermo Fisher Scientific and Artificial, a developer of flexible automation software, have announced a technology collaboration to develop an integrated and comprehensive software platform for Thermo Fisher’s standardised COVID-19 Testing Platform.
As part of the collaboration, Artificial will provide access to its aLab Suite software, designed to seamlessly integrate with Thermo Scientific Momentum Workflow software and robotics hardware. This will form part of the COVID-19 Testing Platform that will enable laboratories to upscale COVID-19 testing volumes to help reduce the spread of the disease and restore economies and communities.
The aLab Suite software facilitates the dynamic scheduling of protocol runs with batch optimisations to maximise the number of tests run. In addition, manual system set-up steps associated with Momentum process execution can be coordinated using aLab digital assistants to reduce the need for user input. Furthermore, the use of aLab assistant’s digital twin of a COVID-19 testing system to guide users on where, when and how to load system consumables will reduce errors associated with manual tasks, ensuring sample safety and integrity and increasing system productivity.
“Laboratories performing COVID-19 testing continue to face the combined challenges of rapidly scaling workflows to meet the demands of communities while ensuring the accuracy and reproducibility of results,” said Hansjoerg Haas, senior director and general manager, laboratory automation, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “This collaboration enables biopharma and contract services companies to simplify their interactions with automated systems and more efficiently coordinate the use of their multiple Momentum automated systems, increasing productivity and minimising user intervention to meet industry needs.”