Re:OpenTrons: Open Source Robotic Liquid Handling
by willcanine on Tuesday January 19, 2016 @12:38PM
(#10932294)
Our main competition really isnt those other robots, its people working by hand. Our user experience and the size, shape, feel of our robot on the bench is just totally different than a Tecan. Our machine appeals to scientists who dont want to become an expert at Tecan Script, spend time looking through used parts websites, and repairing old swiss robots :) Would also argue the flexibility point -- there are trade offs. Our machine can fit in a lot more spaces, can use any type of labware you want, can interface with anything that has an API.
Thanks for your thoughts, would love to talk more if you want!
Will
Seems to be a potential solution for small academic/independent labs w/o a budget for what you have labeled a "mainframe" system.
However, you can purchase an old simple tecan/hamilton/beckman for under $2K that has more flexibility then this machine (e.g. ebay "beckman 2000" or "Tecan Genesis 200").
The open source software certainly provides good flexibility for the "hacker" types. But a script step on those other platforms provides the same abilities.
Just giving my thoughts. Curious to hear more.