Moscow Deploys Lab Logistics Robot to Handle 800 Samples at Once

The pilot project promises faster diagnostics and reduced workload for lab staff, paving the way for fully autonomous medical logistics.

Moscow has launched a pilot program to test an innovative logistics robot designed by the Moscow Scientific and Practical Center for Laboratory Research. Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced the rollout, noting that the smart machine is aimed at improving diagnostic quality, ensuring safe transport of biomaterials, and automating repetitive tasks inside laboratories.

The robot can carry up to 800 test tubes in a single trip, significantly easing the burden on lab personnel who currently spend valuable time shuttling samples. Equipped with advanced navigation systems, cameras for scanning QR codes, safety sensors, and even voice alerts, the machine is designed to streamline internal lab operations.

At this stage, loading and unloading are still performed by staff, but the robot is expected to move toward full autonomy. Future iterations will be able to travel independently between analyzers and even handle container disposal. If testing proves successful, the technology will be scaled across more laboratories in Moscow.