A New Era of Connected Laboratories
ABB Robotics has announced a global partnership with Roche Diagnostics to design and deliver innovative robotic solutions for clinical laboratories. This collaboration marks a significant step toward creating connected labs that are faster, more reliable, and more adaptable to the growing demands of modern healthcare.
Addressing Critical Healthcare Challenges
Marc Segura, President of ABB Robotics, described the collaboration as a milestone in accelerating lab automation. By introducing autonomous and versatile robotics (AVR™) at scale, ABB and Roche aim to address challenges such as workforce shortages, aging populations, and the increasing demand for personalized medicine. With nearly 70 percent of treatment decisions relying on diagnostic testing, the need for faster and more efficient laboratory processes has never been more urgent.
Focus on Scalable Automation Solutions
The partnership will prioritize automation solutions that streamline essential lab processes, including sample preparation and intra-logistics. These improvements are expected to help laboratories deliver quicker and more reliable diagnostics, ultimately enhancing patient care.
First Applications in Pathology and Central Diagnostics
The initial projects under this collaboration will target two critical laboratory areas. In pathology, ABB Robotics will develop solutions for slide handling and organization, enabling more digital and connected workflows. Meanwhile, in central diagnostics labs—Roche’s largest testing segment—autonomous mobile manipulators will transport samples and materials between instruments, ensuring greater connectivity, flexibility, and consistency.
Empowering Laboratory Staff
Marc Boehm, Lifecycle Leader for Core Lab at Roche Diagnostics, emphasized the human impact of this collaboration: “By automating repetitive tasks, we empower laboratory staff to focus on complex analysis, which directly accelerates the journey from diagnosis to critical treatment decisions for patients.” This approach highlights how robotics can free professionals from routine tasks, allowing them to dedicate more time to meaningful work.
Combining Expertise for Real-World Solutions
ABB Robotics will leverage its global manufacturing presence, automation expertise, and AI-powered robotics portfolio to deliver industrial-grade lab solutions. Roche will contribute its diagnostic expertise and application knowledge, ensuring that the solutions are tailored to the specific needs of laboratories in real clinical settings.
Advancing Physical AI for Scalable Impact
This collaboration reflects ABB Robotics’ broader strategy of working with partners across the laboratory ecosystem to eliminate bottlenecks in operations. By harnessing physical AI—where robots learn from real-world data and adapt to dynamic environments—ABB is advancing scalable, flexible automation solutions that improve efficiency, accelerate decision-making, and ultimately deliver better patient outcomes.