Bee Robotics

Bee Robotics

Institution :

Bee Robotics Ltd established since 1999 designs and manufactures robotic liquid handling instruments for the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. The main FAPIC  team at Bee consist of graduate level electronic, mechanical and software engineers experienced in mechanical design using the latest CAD Solid Works software with modern electronics based on the reliable CAN bus system. Our software experience ranges from low level to high level software applied to Graphical User Interfaces and robotics. Bee utilises 3D printing for faster prototyping of new products and partners with several diagnostic kit manufacturers to provide automation.

Role in the project:

Our role in the project is to develop a robot for DNA extraction called the Patho Robot and to develop a docking station to automate a fast assay Patho Stick. The objective is to develop instruments that are user friendly and can process the assays with minimum operator intervention. The main benefits of the Patho Robot will be to reduce the potential for human error by automating the process of DNA extraction and in particular with the development of the Patho Stick to reduce the time to diagnose patients and potentially prevent in some cases the misuse of antibiotics.

The main focus for the instruments will be utilising the teams expertise in temperature control, fast mechanics, liquid handling, imaging and software control and interfaces.

Scientific Manager and involved team:

Steve Jones Managing Director of Bee Robotics since its formation has been in the robotics industry since the mid 80's with background in electronics and several years experience in robotic liquid handling instruments, collaborating with several main stream biotech companies developing automation for diagnostic kits through the medium of Western Blot strips, DNA extraction and microarrays in a range of different fields.

The experienced gained provides a good grounding for the FAPIC project to develop the necessary automation in collaboration with the project consortium.

Illustration of relevant activities, equipments and involved staff members: