INTRODUCTION<br>A Definition of Laboratory Automation<br>Short History of Laboratory Automation<br>Potential of Laboratory Automation<br>Life Science Applications and Requirements (short review on life science applications and requirements automation life science processes)<br>The LUO Concept in Laboratory Automation (definition of LUO concept, based on that description of main device classes required in laboratory automation)<br>References<br> <br>FORMATS IN LABORATORY AUTOMATION<br>Microtiter plates<br>Sample formats in analytical application,<br>Sample formats in medical applications<br>References<br> <br>LIQUID DELIVERY<br>Historic Development of Liquid Handling<br>Use of Liquid Handling Systems<br>Liquid Handler Drive Types<br>Single Channel Systems<br>Multichannel Systems<br>General Rules in Liquid Handling<br>Critical Liquid Handling Parameters<br>Liquid Handling Performance Monitoring<br>Overview on Commercially Available Liquid Handling Systems<br>References<br> <br>LOW VOLUME DELIVERY<br>Definition of Low Volume<br>Application Areas of Low Volume Dispensing<br>Low Volume Dispensing Technologies<br>Overview on Commercially Available Low Volume Dispensers<br>References<br> <br>SOLID DELIVERY<br>Introduction<br>Solid Delivery Technologies<br>Overview on Commercially Available Solid Delivery Systems<br>References<br> <br>DEVICES FOR SAMPLE PREPARATION<br>Automated Heating, Cooling and Mixing<br>Automated Centrifuges<br>Automated Pouring and Filtration<br>Automated Solid Phase Extraction<br>References<br> <br>ROBOTS IN LABORATORY AUTOMATION<br>Classical Industrial Robots<br>Cobots<br>Application Examples<br>References<br> <br>MOBILE ROBOTS IN LABORATORY AUTOMATION<br>Characteristics and Concepts of Mobile Robots (including definition)<br>Sensors and Actuators for Mobile Robots<br>Commercially available Mobile Robots<br>Application of Mobile Robots in Industry<br>Special Requirements for using Mobile Robots in Life Science Laboratories<br>References<br> <br>CAMERA BASED OBJECT DETECTION AND MANIPULATION<br>Overview on Available Cameras<br>State of the Art in Camera Based Object Detection<br>References<br> <br>ANALYTICAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS<br>Reader Systems<br>Classical Analytical Systems<br>References<br> <br>INTERFACES IN LABORATORY AUTOMATION<br>Introduction<br>Analog Interfaces<br>Digital Interfaces<br>Network Interfaces<br>Standardization in Laboratory Automation (SILA)<br>References<br> <br>SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION IN LABORATORY AUTOMATION<br>Barcode Technologies<br>RFID Technologies<br>Advanced Technologies<br>References<br>