CIRCA: Cloud-based intelligent robotic system for chemical analysis in streamlining and automating open-ended measurement tasks

Abstract

The realm of chemical analysis has witnessed remarkable advancements through the automation of measurement techniques. This automation has played a pivotal role in reducing the labor-intensive and time-consuming aspects associated with chemical analysis, while simultaneously minimizing dependence on specialized knowledge. However, in practical analytical work, automated chemical measurement instrumentation faces persistent challenges due to uncertainties regarding the number and timing of sample measurement tasks reaching the laboratory for analysis. These challenges result in low instrument sharing rates and a deficiency in effective communication mechanisms between sample providers and administrators, impeding the further enhancement of automated chemical measurement efficiency. Here we proposed a Cloud-based Intelligent Robotic System for Chemical Analysis (CIRCA) and demonstrated its application by the analysis of soluble iron in water samples. CIRCA comprises a cloud platform and an analytical robot, which efficiently manages and executes measurement tasks using a Process Simulation Algorithm and a Task Coordination Algorithm. The Process Simulation Algorithm plans the mechanical actions of analytical robot modules, while simulating processing times for each task. Simultaneously, the Task Coordination Algorithm optimizes the timing of each measurement task. By adopting CIRCA, sample providers can remotely submit measurement tasks without negotiation, allowing for the seamless management of open-ended analytical tasks, measurement execution, and analytical result feedback, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the analytical workflow. CIRCA represents a pioneering cloud-based intelligent robotic system that revolutionizes chemical analysis by addressing persistent challenges in managing open-ended measurement tasks. Its innovative design and distinctive algorithms, coupled with cloud-based communication logic and architecture, as well as the robotic physical framework, empower seamless task coordination, remote synergism, automated execution, and result feedback, ultimately enhancing analytical efficiency.