A mobile robot chemist has been created in the UK

The autonomous robot can independently plan and perform experiments. The device has been designed to help scientists who want to eliminate routine tasks.

The creation was unveiled at the University of Liverpool in the UK. It's a mobile robot chemist who'll take charge of some of the work typically performed by human scientists. For example, the device can select the optimal reagents for the desired reactions. During it's first working shift, the robot managed to find a photocatalyst in conjunction with an activity significantly superior to that of analogues. The Robots worked for eight days; during this period, it took just twenty hours to recharge the device.

The design is straightforward: the robot is a cart on wheels with a highly sensitive robotic hand, capable of handling a variety of objects. To achieve this, it has several types of grips allowing it to handle fragile laboratory equipment very carefully. The machine can also independently select a route for moving around the laboratory, planning and carrying out experiments, and making adjustments if necessary. It can work autonomously and doesn't require any commands to do this.