Towards EvoBot: A liquid-handling robot able to automatize and optimize experiments based on real-time feedback

The EVOBLISS project combines scientific approaches from robotics, artificial intelligence, chemistry, and microbiology and aims to capitalize on the state of the art in these disparate disciplines and combine them together into a coherent project to produce i) a generally useful, expandable and customizable technical platform for the artificial evolution of new materials and applications based on a real-time feedback robotic workstation and ii) a specific improved technology, namely a microbial fuel cell, that incorporates natural as well as artificial macro-, micro-, and nanoscale elements for improved function. Scientifically, we will investigate the possibility of optimizing artificial chemical life, microbial ecosystems, and nanoparticles and their physiochemical, dynamic environments using robot facilitated, artificial evolution.
This paper deals with the first goal of the EVOBLISS project, to produce a useful, expandable and customizable technical platform for the artificial evolution of new materials and applications. Specifically, the objective of this paper is to define the capabilities of our liquid handling robot, called EvoBot. This robot will be a mature and robust version of the SplotBot robot which was used to show the feasibility of this approach [1]. This robot was able to perform proof of concept experiments, but was too fragile to conduct systematic scientific experiments in artificial chemical life. Furthermore, the EvoBot robot will increase the features of the SplotBot robot in order to make new types of experiments. Proceeding, the capabilities of the EvoBots are presented based on prerequisites for mature and robust functionality, and also features requested by partners.