Lab Automation & Robotics
Automata LINQ
by Automata Technologies Ltd.
End-to-end lab automation platform connecting instruments, robots, and software into unified workflows
Category
Lab Automation & Robotics
Founded
2015
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Overview
Automata has built LINQ, an end-to-end lab automation platform that combines collaborative robotic arms, instrument integration middleware, and workflow orchestration software to automate biology and chemistry labs without requiring specialized robotics engineers. The LINQ platform uses a modular architecture where each instrument or device is wrapped in a software driver and connected to a central scheduler that sequences operations, manages sample tracking, and handles error recovery automatically. Life science companies and pharma organizations use Automata to automate workflows including cell culture, compound management, assay automation, and genomics sample preparation. Unlike traditional liquid handling automation that automates a single step, LINQ connects entire workflows — from sample receipt through plate reading — creating continuous, unattended operation that runs overnight and on weekends without human intervention. Automata differentiates through its software-first approach to lab automation. Rather than requiring custom hardware integration for each instrument, LINQ provides a library of pre-built drivers for common lab instruments (plate readers, centrifuges, incubators, liquid handlers) that can be configured via drag-and-drop workflow editors. This reduces automation deployment time from months to weeks and empowers lab scientists — rather than automation engineers — to design and modify workflows.
Key Features
Automated Liquid Handling
Precision liquid handling reduces human error and improves reproducibility across experiments.
Scheduling & Queue Management
Intelligent scheduling optimizes instrument utilization and manages experiment queues.
Barcode & Sample Tracking
Integrated barcode scanning for sample identification and chain-of-custody tracking.
Environmental Control
Temperature, humidity, and atmosphere control modules for sensitive biological assays.
Gripper & Transport System
Robotic gripper and transport modules move labware between instruments in automated workflows.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Reduces manual pipetting time by 90%+ for high-throughput screening and sample preparation
- +Affordable pricing democratizes lab automation for academic labs and small biotechs
- +Cloud-connected platform enables remote protocol execution and real-time experiment monitoring
- +Automated liquid handling reduces human error and improves reproducibility across experiments
- +Open-source protocol library enables community-driven method development and sharing
- +Modular hardware design supports configuration for genomics, proteomics, and cell biology workflows
Cons
- −Protocol compatibility issues may arise when adapting published methods to automated execution
- −Ongoing maintenance and calibration requirements add to total cost of ownership
- −Initial setup and protocol optimization requires significant hands-on time from experienced users
- −Precision limitations compared to high-end liquid handlers for sub-microliter volume applications
- −Limited customer support infrastructure compared to established automation vendors
Use Cases
High-Throughput Screening
Automated liquid handling and assay execution for screening thousands of compounds or conditions in parallel.
Sample Preparation Automation
Robotic automation of repetitive sample preparation workflows reducing human error and improving reproducibility.
Protocol Development & Sharing
Open-source protocol libraries enabling community-driven method development and standardization.