Opentrons

Opentrons delivers a practical, modular approach to laboratory automation designed to make routine and complex wet‑lab workflows accessible to bench scientists and developers alike. The product family centers on two platforms: the OT‑2, a compact, bench‑top liquid handler aimed at straightforward automation tasks, and the Flex, a higher‑throughput, reconfigurable robot engineered for more complex, multi‑module workflows. Both platforms emphasize affordability, open‑source software, and the ability to adapt as experimental needs evolve. Hardware capabilities focus on flexible pipetting and on‑deck instrumentation. Flex supports swappable 1‑, 8‑ and 96‑channel Flex pipettes with wide volume ranges (examples include 1–50 µL and 5–1000 µL), a motorized gripper for moving labware, 12 working deck slots plus additional staging slots, and a 7" touchscreen for local control. Flex can accept on‑deck modules via caddies — Thermocycler, Heater‑Shaker, Temperature and Magnetic Block, and even an absorbance plate reader — enabling workflows such as PCR setup with automated loading, magnetic‑bead nucleic acid extraction, and plate‑based protein purification. The OT‑2 offers a smaller footprint with 11 deck slots, two pipette mounts (single or 8‑channel), and comparable module support for labs looking to automate sampling, transfers, and medium‑throughput applications. Both designs include integrated cameras, smart sensors for automated calibration and crash detection, and removable side panels for integration with external devices. Opentrons’ software stack is built to serve users across experience levels. Protocol Designer is a no‑code, web‑based drag‑and‑drop tool for building common protocols (mixing, transfers, cherrypicking, normalization, plate stamping) and is ideal for scientists who want plug‑and‑play automation. For power users, the open‑source Python Protocol API (v2) provides a readable, notebook‑style framework to script complex protocols, perform calculations, and integrate external data. The Opentrons App runs on macOS, Windows and Ubuntu and is the recommended interface for running Python protocols; a single computer can manage multiple robots. Opentrons maintains a Protocol Library with verified and community‑contributed protocols and publishes code and documentation on GitHub, enabling custom integrations and community collaboration. The Labware Library and Labware Creator let users add or define custom consumables and adapters; Opentrons’ own tips and consumables are validated for guaranteed performance, while third‑party tip use is supported but not guaranteed. Typical use cases illustrate the platform’s breadth. Pre‑configured Flex workstations automate end‑to‑end NGS library prep (tagmentation or fragmentation chemistries), PCR setup plus thermocycling with gripper‑automated plate transfers, magnetic‑bead based nucleic acid extraction with heater‑shaker support, and small‑scale magnetic bead protein purification for proteomics. Flex Prep (a no‑code kit) targets rapid setup of pipetting tasks like reformatting, dilutions, and concentration normalization in minutes. Labs also use OT‑2 and Flex systems to scale ELISAs, prepare samples for mass spectrometry, run large‑scale cherrypicking and plate stamping, or deploy design‑of‑experiment routines driven by external software agents. Because the software is open source and the side panels are removable, advanced teams can integrate third‑party instruments and analytics into custom end‑to‑end automation pipelines. Opentrons combines product support and safety compliance to help labs deploy automation reliably. Flex and OT‑2 are CE/FCC/ISO 9001 certified and come with a one‑year warranty; Opentrons offers on‑site installation, remote and on‑site services, preventative maintenance and custom protocol development. Important operational constraints are documented: the instrument enclosures are not sterile (an optional HEPA accessory is available), the Flex is heavy and requires two people to lift, and neither platform is approved for explosive or flammable liquids. The company recommends ANSI/SLAS‑compliant labware or verified labware definitions, standard biosafety practices (e.g., BMBL guidance) when handling infectious materials, and cautions that third‑party consumable performance can vary. For teams that want to extend functionality, Opentrons’ open software and APIs enable integrations with other APIs and laboratory IT systems, although custom drivers or libraries are often required. In short, Opentrons is positioned for labs that want an affordable, modular automation foundation with a low barrier to entry and a path to advanced customization. From no‑code protocol design for routine pipetting to scriptable Python protocols and on‑deck module automation for NGS, PCR, and magnetic‑bead workflows, the platform supports a wide range of molecular biology and proteomics applications while exposing software and hardware hooks for deeper integration and scale.