Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Artificial, developers of flexible automation software, have announced a strategic technology collaboration to develop an integrated and comprehensive software automation platform for Thermo Fisher’s standardised COVID-19 testing platform. The integration will result in increased testing throughput and support global healthcare initiatives.

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 quickly 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 lab technicians 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.

As part of the partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific will utilise its extensive experience across life sciences to provide feedback on aLab Suite functionalities and capabilities to contribute to future product requirements and system specifications.