pylabrobot

pylabrobot

Overview

PyLabRobot is an open-source Python library that abstracts liquid handling robot hardware behind a unified API. Write a protocol once and run it on any supported robot — Hamilton STAR, Tecan Freedom EVO, Opentrons OT-2, or a simulated backend — without changing the protocol code. PyLabRobot handles deck layout, resource management, and aspirate/dispense operations through a clean, async-first interface.

When to Use

• Writing portable liquid handling protocols: You want a single Python script that works across Hamilton, Tecan, Opentrons, and a simulator without code changes.
• Developing and testing protocols before robot time: Use the simulation backend to validate logic, volumes, and deck layouts without occupying physical hardware.
• Automating plate reformatting and cherry-picking: Transfer specific wells between plates based on upstream data (e.g., hit compounds from a screen).
• Building serial dilution curves: Systematically aspirate and dispense across a plate with precise volume steps.
• Integrating liquid handling into Python data pipelines: Trigger robot actions from analysis code, LIMS queries, or machine learning models.
• Rapid method development: Iterate quickly in Python rather than in vendor-specific scripting environments.
• For Opentrons-specific features (temperature module control, built-in app integration), use the opentrons Python SDK instead; for multi-vendor portability use PyLabRobot.

Prerequisites

• Python packages: pylabrobot
• Optional backends: pylabrobot[hamilton] for Hamilton STAR, pylabrobot[opentrons] for OT-2
• Data requirements: None — deck resources are defined in Python
• Environment: Python 3.9+; physical robot drivers installed separately per vendor docs

pip install pylabrobot
pip install "pylabrobot[hamilton]"   # add Hamilton USB driver
pip install "pylabrobot[opentrons]"  # add Opentrons REST driver

Quick Start

import asyncio
from pylabrobot.liquid_handling import LiquidHandler
from pylabrobot.liquid_handling.backends import SimulatorBackend
from pylabrobot.resources import Deck, Cos_96_Rd, HTF_L

async def main():
    backend = SimulatorBackend(open_browser=False)
    lh = LiquidHandler(backend=backend, deck=Deck())