From Benchtop Robotics to Mobile Automation: Scientific Building Block Models for the Connected Lab

What happens when advanced laboratory robotics are turned into physical corporate gifts? For one laboratory automation project, LHYY developed two very different building block models inspired by Thermo Scientific™ robotics: the Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) and the Spinnaker™ 3 Microplate Mover.

Although both systems belong to the world of laboratory automation, they represent different parts of an automated workflow. One focuses on moving labware between work areas; the other focuses on flexible handling at the laboratory workstation.

That difference made them particularly interesting subjects for a coordinated scientific building block project.

Laboratory Automation Is More Than a Single Robot

Modern laboratory automation increasingly involves more than placing one robotic device beside an instrument. Automated workflows may include robotic plate handling, sample storage, liquid handling, scheduling software, instrument integration, and transportation of labware between different laboratory work areas.

Thermo Fisher Scientific's current laboratory robotics portfolio illustrates these different roles clearly. The real Thermo Scientific Spinnaker 3 is designed primarily for flexible benchtop automation and microplate handling, while the Thermo Scientific Autonomous Mobile Robot is designed for autonomous labware transportation within distributed laboratory environments.

For LHYY, this created an opportunity to turn two very different automation concepts into a coordinated pair of physical building block models.

Spinnaker 3: Representing Automation at the Workstation

The real Thermo Scientific Spinnaker 3 Microplate Mover is an advanced benchtop laboratory automation robot. Its role is centered around moving microplates and compatible labware between instruments, storage positions, and other locations within an automated workstation.

The reference system uses a 4-axis SCARA architecture and incorporates technologies such as vision-assisted teaching, AutoLevel functionality, barcode reading, and workflow software integration. These features are designed to make plate movement flexible, repeatable, and easier to configure within automated laboratory workflows.

When adapting the Spinnaker 3 into a building block model, the challenge was not to reproduce every mechanical or technical detail. Instead, the design needed to capture the system's most recognizable visual characteristics in a compact model.

The resulting 87-piece Spinnaker 3 building block model emphasizes the tall vertical structure, stacked access positions, articulated handling arm, compact curved base, and clean white-and-blue laboratory automation styling.

The model was physically manufactured as part of the original corporate gift project. Current ready stock is no longer available, but organizations interested in a new production run can view the Spinnaker 3 Microplate Mover Building Block Model project page and submit a new production inquiry.

Autonomous Mobile Robot: Extending Automation Beyond the Bench

The Thermo Scientific Autonomous Mobile Robot represents a different approach to laboratory robotics.

Instead of operating primarily within a fixed benchtop automation system, the real AMR is designed for autonomous transportation of labware between laboratory work areas. Thermo Fisher Scientific positions the AMR as a mobile automation platform capable of helping connect distributed laboratory workflows while coordinating with automation software such as Thermo Scientific Momentum Workflow Scheduling Software.

The real system can be used to move laboratory items such as microplates, tip racks, and consumables as part of connected automated workflows.

The LHYY interpretation uses 396 building components to recreate the robot's tall mobile form, transparent storage-inspired areas, white exterior, blue accent details, wheeled base, antenna-style elements, and side handling structure.

Unlike the Spinnaker 3 model, the AMR model is currently available from LHYY ready stock. Customers can order current inventory without a minimum order quantity while stock remains available.

View the Thermo Scientific Autonomous Mobile Robot Building Block Set for current availability and ordering information.

Two Automation Roles, One Building Block Project

The most interesting part of this project is not simply that two laboratory robots were recreated with building blocks. It is that the two models tell a larger automation story when displayed together.

At a simplified conceptual level, the Spinnaker 3 represents labware movement within the automation workstation, while the AMR represents labware transportation between different laboratory work areas.

Those two roles make the models complementary rather than repetitive.

For scientific brands, creating a group of related models can also be more powerful than producing a single isolated gift. A coordinated series can represent different products, workflows, technologies, or business units while maintaining a consistent physical design language.

How Complex Laboratory Equipment Becomes a Building Block Model

A scientific building block project begins with a different question from conventional promotional merchandise:

Which visual elements make this scientific system immediately recognizable to the people who work with it?

For laboratory robotics, simply copying the outer dimensions is rarely enough. A useful model has to preserve visual cues that scientists, engineers, customers, and employees associate with the original system.

Depending on the project, that may include a distinctive enclosure, robotic arm, loading position, door structure, screen, fluidics area, color scheme, storage tower, base geometry, or other recognizable feature.

The LHYY design process then simplifies those visual elements into a buildable structure while considering component availability, stability, assembly experience, printing areas, packaging dimensions, target piece count, and the intended business use of the finished model.

Why Building Block Models Work as Scientific Corporate Gifts

Scientific products can be difficult to represent with conventional promotional merchandise. A pen, notebook, bottle, or standard giveaway may carry a logo, but it rarely communicates what the company actually develops.

A product-inspired building block model works differently because the gift itself can become part of the brand story.

For a laboratory automation company, the recipient is not simply receiving another branded object. They are assembling a recognizable representation of the technology.

This makes scientific building block models particularly useful for trade shows, scientific conferences, product launches, customer meetings, distributor programs, employee recognition, technical training environments, office displays, and long-term customer engagement.

The assembly process can also increase interaction time with the gift. Instead of being viewed once and placed aside, the recipient spends time building the model and is left with a finished display connected to the product or technology being represented.

Ready Stock and Custom Production Serve Different Needs

Not every scientific building block project needs to follow the same commercial model.

For the AMR project, LHYY currently holds existing finished inventory. That means individual sets can be purchased directly while current stock remains available, with no minimum order quantity for ready-stock orders.

The Spinnaker 3 model, by contrast, was previously produced but has no current ready inventory. A company interested in that model would therefore begin with a new production quotation.

This distinction is important for B2B buyers. Ready-stock products are useful when a customer needs smaller quantities or faster delivery, while custom production is better suited to larger campaigns requiring new branding, packaging, colors, printed elements, or structural changes.

Building a Broader Scientific Product Model Program

The same approach is not limited to laboratory robotics.

LHYY has developed scientific building block projects inspired by electron microscopes, cryo-EM systems, mass spectrometers, chromatography systems, bioprocessing equipment, cell therapy systems, laboratory workstations, robotics, and other technical instruments.

For organizations with multiple product families, a series of models can become a long-term corporate gift program rather than a one-time promotional item.

The models can be used across product launches, regional events, distributor meetings, scientific conferences, employee programs, office displays, customer engagement campaigns, and other B2B applications.

Explore more examples through the Thermo Fisher Scientific Building Block Models Hub or browse the full Scientific Building Block Models Collection.

Planning a Custom Laboratory Automation Gift?

If your company develops laboratory automation systems, analytical instruments, biotechnology equipment, robotics, medical devices, or other recognizable technical products, LHYY can evaluate whether the equipment can be translated into a custom building block model.

For an initial project review, useful information normally includes reference photographs or videos, approximate dimensions, expected quantity, intended use, branding requirements, packaging requirements, delivery destination, and target event or delivery date.

After reviewing the reference materials, LHYY can evaluate model structure, expected component requirements, branding options, packaging, production feasibility, and commercial requirements before preparing the next-stage proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are laboratory automation gifts?
Laboratory automation gifts are promotional or corporate items created for companies and teams working with robotics, automated sample handling, high-throughput workflows, scientific instruments, and related laboratory technologies. Custom building block models can represent the actual equipment rather than simply displaying a company logo.

Can laboratory robots be turned into custom building block models?
Yes. Feasibility depends on the reference system, recognizable exterior features, component availability, desired finished size, quantity, packaging, branding requirements, and project budget.

Are the LHYY AMR and Spinnaker 3 models functional robots?
No. Both are non-functional building block gift and display models. They do not transport labware, move microplates, scan barcodes, communicate with automation software, navigate laboratories, or perform scientific operations.

Can the Thermo Scientific AMR building block set currently be purchased?
Yes. The AMR model is currently available from LHYY ready stock while inventory remains available. Ready-stock orders have no minimum order quantity.

Is the Spinnaker 3 building block model currently available from stock?
No. The Spinnaker 3 model was previously manufactured as part of the laboratory automation project, but current ready stock is unavailable. New production can be evaluated through a B2B quotation.

Can LHYY create a model based on another company's laboratory equipment?
Yes. LHYY can evaluate new scientific building block projects based on customer-provided reference materials. Any project involving third-party trademarks, logos, or protected artwork requires appropriate authorization from the relevant rights holder.

Trademark & Project Notice

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Thermo Scientific, Spinnaker, Momentum, and associated product names, logos, graphics, and trademarks remain the property of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and its subsidiaries. References to the Thermo Scientific Autonomous Mobile Robot and Spinnaker 3 Microplate Mover are used to identify the laboratory automation systems represented by the building block models. The LHYY products shown in this article are non-functional corporate gift and display models and are not operational laboratory automation systems. New production or reproduction involving protected third-party branding requires appropriate authorization.