Opentrons: Lab Automation for What Comes Next
Opentrons is an open-source lab automation platform designed to make biology more repeatable, scalable, and accessible. It combines flexible hardware with AI-enabled software so labs can automate pipetting, sample prep, and complex workflows without being locked into a closed system.
Hardware
- Opentrons Flex: A scalable, modular robot workstation for high-throughput applications.
- OT-2: A compact, widely used robot for everyday lab automation.
- Modules & Accessories: Heaters, shakers, thermocyclers, magnetic modules, and labware to fit many assays.
Software
- OpentronsAI: Use natural language to design, simulate, optimize, and verify protocols.
- Protocol Designer: A drag-and-drop, no-code protocol builder and visualizer.
- Python API: Full programmatic control for developers who want to customize automation.
- Protocol Library: Verified and community protocols to jump-start workflows.
Applications
Preconfigured workstations support NGS library prep, proteomics, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, protein purification, ELISA, and more. Labs can reconfigure hardware and workflows as their science evolves.
Why It Stands Out
- Open-source and developer-friendly
- No-code and low-code options for broader lab access
- AI tools for protocol generation and optimization
- Flexible ecosystem that scales from low-volume precision to high-throughput performance
Opentrons is used by research labs, pharmaceutical companies, and academic institutions worldwide to reduce manual pipetting, improve reproducibility, and accelerate discovery.