Transformers-Inspired Robotic Arms Boost Production at Local Biotechnology Firm

Transformers have moved onto the production line, with locally developed robotic arms boosting productivity. In the movie Transformers, the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, fight alongside humans against villains to protect the Earth. Similarly, at the biotechnology company Illumina, there are as many as 62 Transformers tirelessly working around the clock to contribute to the field of gene sequencing.

These 62 Transformers are actually robotic arms designed and manufactured by Illumina in Singapore. Each robotic arm has a distinctive name, including Optimus Prime, Mirage, Solus Prime, Silverstreak, Pipes, and Bumblebee. Each arm has its specific role and accurately performs different tasks.

Headquartered in the United States, the genomics giant Illumina established its operations in Singapore in 2008. The company’s manufacturing facility in Woodlands began using its first robotic arm in 2016 and has expanded its fleet to over 60 robotic arms within a decade.

These Transformers are primarily used to produce consumables required for gene sequencing, such as reagent kits. Some arms are responsible for assembling the kits, while others fill liquids into tubes. Additionally, advanced vision and weighing sensors help transfer products between workstations and conduct quality checks.

These robotic assistants have also contributed to the first and second phases of the National Precision Medicine (NPM) initiative. In 2022, the Singapore Precision Health Research program signed a collaboration agreement with Illumina to sequence and analyze the genomes of 100,000 Singaporeans to better understand the causes of chronic diseases. The reagent kits produced by the Transformers are used in gene sequencing machines.

The creative naming of the robotic arms comes from Illumina‘s Senior Automation Engineer, Zhu Xinghai, a fan of Transformers. When naming each robotic arm, he considers its function and the characteristics of the Transformers characters. For example, he named one system Bumblebee because it was noisy, hoping that it would not make any sound, just like the character who cannot speak.

Before the introduction of Transformers, the production line required six to seven operators, whose tasks were monotonous and involved heavy lifting. After deploying the robotic arms, the required workforce has been significantly reduced to just two operators. According to Illumina‘s Senior Director of Manufacturing, Hou Yiping, “Previously, operators had to repeatedly load, unload, add reagents, and fill containers. The robotic arms can replace these repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on more valuable work.”

Zhu Xinghai revealed that operators used to complete 20 reagent kits per hour; now, the robotic arms can produce 35 to 40 kits, enhancing efficiency and reducing the defect rate. A recent visit to Illumina‘s Woodlands facility showed all robotic arms operating securely within transparent isolation spaces to ensure safety. Hou Yiping explained that the entire automated production system is equipped with interlock devices to prevent doors from accidentally opening during operation, ensuring operator safety. “There are also emergency stop buttons around the system to ensure it can be halted immediately in case of an emergency,” he added.

Looking ahead, Zhu Xinghai and Hou Yiping stated that the team is developing more advanced technologies to enable robotic arms to execute multiple complex tasks simultaneously, further increasing efficiency. Although the number of operators has decreased, the company continues to expand its production lines in response to increased capacity and demand. Since 2008, Illumina‘s workforce has grown from double digits to over 1,700 employees, and the company plans to increase its staff by about 20% in Singapore over the next five years.

It is important to clarify that the names of the Transformers and related characters mentioned in this article are informal nicknames used internally by the company and do not imply any affiliation, endorsement, authorization, or other forms of association with the trademark holder.