Lab Automation Market

Market Definition

Laboratory automation involves advanced equipment and software systems designed to streamline repetitive lab tasks, enhance throughput, and reduce manual errors. The systems integrate robotics, data analytics, and informatics to support precise and efficient workflows in research and diagnostic settings.

The market finds application in areas such as high‑throughput screening, sample preparation, clinical diagnostics, and bioproduction processes, ultimately improving productivity and reproducibility.

Lab Automation Market Overview

The global lab automation market size was valued at USD 7.23 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 7.64 billion in 2025 to USD 11.79 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.40% during the forecast period.

This market is growing due to the increasing shift toward cloud-based, scalable platforms that enable remote access, real-time data management, and seamless collaboration. Advancements in miniaturization and microfluidics are improving efficiency by reducing sample and reagent volumes, accelerating high-throughput processes, and lowering operational costs for laboratories.

Major companies operating in the lab automation industry are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Danaher Corporation, Tecan Group Ltd., Agilent Technologies Inc., PerkinElmer, Inc., Siemens, Hudson Lab Automation, Beckman Coulter, Inc., BD, Eppendorf SE, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Abbott, BIOMÉRIEUX, Brooks Automation, Inc., and Opentrons.

The demand for high-throughput efficiency and improved productivity drives the adoption of lab automation across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostic laboratories. Processing large volumes of samples quickly and accurately is essential to meet the demands of modern research and clinical workflows.

Lab automation systems enable faster turnaround times, minimize manual errors, and support consistent data generation across repetitive tasks. Laboratories invest in automated platforms to streamline operations, reduce labor costs, and increase output without compromising quality.

• In October 2024, Dash Bio, a biotech services startup launched its automated robotics lab in Newton, Massachusetts. The lab processes and analyzes clinical trial samples using robots and AI. The system automatically handles biological samples and applies AI-driven data analysis. It aims to shorten analysis timelines from months to weeks by handling sample testing more efficiently.

Key Highlights

1. The lab automation industry size was valued at USD 7.23 billion in 2024.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.40% from 2025 to 2032.
3. North America held a market share of 43.38% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 3.14 billion.
4. The automated workstations segment garnered USD 1.90 billion in revenue in 2024.
5. The data management & analytics segment is expected to reach USD 3.25 billion by 2032.
6. The drug discovery segment secured the largest revenue share of 33.80% in 2024.
7. The pharma & biotech companies segment is poised for a CAGR of 7.18% over the forecast period.
8. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.81% during the forecast period.

Market Driver

Shift to Cloud-Based Scalable Platforms

The shift to cloud-based scalable platforms is driving the adoption of lab automation across research and diagnostic environments. Cloud-enabled automation is allowing laboratories to access systems remotely, manage data in real time, and streamline collaboration across teams.

Moreover, the flexibility needed to scale operations based on project needs is making cloud-based solutions attractive for emerging and established laboratories. Enhanced data security, automated updates, and centralized control are further improving operational efficiency. The lab automation market is significantly growing as laboratories prioritize adaptable and cost-effective solutions that support various scientific and clinical workflows.

• In September 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific launched the Thermo Scientific Connect Edge hardware enhancement for its InstrumentConnect platform. Connect Edge acts as an OPC-UA server and enables remote monitoring of up to ten lab devices via Ethernet or Wi‑Fi. It supports secure data transmission to cloud platforms or on-premise systems and integrates with LIMS and BMS infrastructures.

Market Challenge

High Initial Investment and Operational Expense

A key challenge in the lab automation market is the significant upfront investment required to deploy advanced automated systems. These technologies involve high costs for equipment, consumables, and continuous maintenance, placing a financial strain on laboratories with limited budgets. Smaller organizations often struggle to justify these expenses, especially when the return on investment is not immediately realized.

Therefore, market players are introducing flexible financing models, scalable automation solutions, and service-based offerings to reduce capital burden. Companies also focus on improving system efficiency and lower maintenance needs to make automation more accessible and sustainable.

Market Trend

Accelerating Efficiency through Miniaturization and Microfluidics

A major trend in the lab automation market is the growing use of miniaturized systems and microfluidic technologies to streamline laboratory workflows. Companies are developing compact instruments that handle smaller volumes of reagents and samples without compromising analytical precision. This approach significantly reduces resource consumption and lowers operational costs for research and diagnostic laboratories.

Microfluidic platforms enable high-throughput experimentation by performing parallel processes with greater speed and consistency. This shift toward miniaturization supports space-saving lab designs and scalability across various applications.

• In October 2024, researchers at Jinan University introduced a portable miniature mass spectrometry (mMS) system integrating solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and nano-electrospray ionization (nESI) for on-site detection. The system enables real-time analysis of complex samples such as food, human fluids, environmental water, and living organisms.

Lab Automation Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Product	Automated Workstations, Robotic Arm Systems, Microplate Readers, Automated Storage Systems, Sample Preparation Systems, LIMS, Reagents & Consumables
By Software Functionality	Workflow Scheduling, Sample Tracking, Data Management & Analytics, Compliance & Quality Control, Integration with ERP/LIMS
By Application	Drug Discovery, Clinical Diagnostics, Genomics & Proteomics, Microbiology, Synthetic Biology, Forensic Science, Food & Beverage Testing
By End User	Pharma & Biotech Companies, Clinical & Diagnostic Labs, Research & Academic Institutes, Hospitals & Diagnostic Centers, CROs
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Product (Automated Workstations, Robotic Arm Systems, Microplate Readers, Automated Storage Systems, Sample Preparation Systems, LIMS, and Reagents & Consumables): The automated workstations segment earned USD 1.90 billion in 2024, due to its ability to streamline complex workflows, increase throughput, and reduce manual errors.
• By Software Functionality (Workflow Scheduling, Sample Tracking, Data Management & Analytics, Compliance & Quality Control, and Integration with ERP/LIMS): The data management & analytics segment held 26.30% of the market in 2024, attributed to the rising demand for centralized data handling, real-time analysis, and regulatory compliance.
• By Application (Drug Discovery, Clinical Diagnostics, Genomics & Proteomics, Microbiology, Synthetic Biology, Forensic Science, and Food & Beverage Testing): The drug discovery segment is projected to reach USD 3.75 billion by 2032, owing to the high demand for rapid, high-throughput screening and data-driven experimentation.
• By End User (Pharma & Biotech Companies, Clinical & Diagnostic Labs, Research & Academic Institutes, Hospitals & Diagnostic Centers, and CROs): The pharma & biotech companies segment is poised for significant growth at a CAGR of 7.18% through the forecast period, due to their high demand for scalable and high-throughput systems to accelerate drug discovery, streamline quality control, and meet stringent regulatory requirements.

Lab Automation Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America.

The North America lab automation market share stood at 43.38% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 3.14 billion. This dominance is attributed to the region's strong concentration of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research institutions, particularly in the U.S.

These organizations benefit from consistent funding from government bodies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF), as well as from private channels. This steady financial backing fuels the demand for high-throughput and automated laboratory systems.

As a result, laboratories invest in advanced automation technologies that enhance efficiency, minimize human error, and support growth across clinical, pharmaceutical, and molecular biology applications.

• In October 2024, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded USD 27 million to establish a new genomics-enabled Learning Health System (gLHS) Network. This initiative supports the integration of genomic information into existing learning health systems at six clinical study sites and a coordinating center. The funding highlights the U.S.'s leadership in advancing biomedical research through substantial investments in academic and clinical infrastructure.

Asia Pacific lab automation industry is poised for significant growth at a robust CAGR of 6.81% over the forecast period. Asia Pacific is emerging as a major center for pharmaceutical manufacturing and export, particularly in the areas of generics and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

As demand continues to rise from domestic and international markets, pharmaceutical companies in the region will look to invest in automated laboratory systems to accelerate drug development, enhance quality testing, and meet regulatory requirements. This trend is creating a strong demand for automation tools for managing high sample volumes with precision.

• In March 2024, Merck KGaA invested more than USD 326 million to establish a new pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Daejeon, South Korea. The facility aims to support the development and production of vaccines, cell therapies, and protein-based treatments, enhancing Merck's presence in the Asia-Pacific region. This investment underscores the region's growing importance in global pharmaceutical manufacturing and export.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the U.S., laboratories must comply with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), overseen by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The FDA has also begun regulating Lab-Developed Tests (LDTs) as medical devices under a phased approach. Additionally, laboratory instruments and automation tools used in diagnostics require FDA clearance or approval.
• Laboratories in the European Union must follow the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) and Medical Device Regulation (MDR). These regulations require in vitro diagnostic devices, including lab automation systems, to be CE-marked, risk-classified, and registered in the EUDAMED database.
• In China, laboratory automation devices and diagnostics must comply with National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) regulations, which classify and require approval for in vitro diagnostic devices. Laboratories also follow China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) standards, aligned with ISO/IEC 17025.
• In Japan, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) regulate diagnostic devices and lab automation platforms under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. Laboratories must be accredited under ISO 15189 or ISO/IEC 17025, depending on their scope.

Competitive Landscape

Leading players in the lab automation industry are adopting strategic partnerships, targeted R&D investments, and the integration of advanced robotic technologies to improve efficiency and scalability in laboratory operations.

By collaborating with automation specialists and enhancing compatibility across their equipment portfolios, companies are developing end-to-end solutions that streamline complex workflows, particularly in high-growth areas like cell therapy manufacturing. These approaches are contributing to the growth of the market by addressing industry needs for precision, speed, and consistency.

• In March 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific partnered with Multiply Labs to automate cell expansion and separation workflows. The integration applies Multiply’s robotic technology to Thermo Fisher’s Heracell VIOS incubator and CTS Rotea centrifugation systems, enabling fully automated cell therapy manufacturing operations.

List of Key Companies in Lab Automation Market:

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• Danaher Corporation
• Tecan Group Ltd.
• Agilent Technologies Inc.
• PerkinElmer, Inc.
• Siemens
• Hudson Lab Automation
• Beckman Coulter, Inc.
• BD
• Eppendorf SE
• Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
• Abbott
• BIOMÉRIEUX
• Brooks Automation, Inc.
• Opentrons

Recent Developments (Agreements/Expansion/Product Launch)

• In May 2025, Trilobio, the company developing a fully automated, robotic lab-in-a-box for biologists, secured a USD 8 million seed investment. The funding will be used to enhance the robotics capabilities and no-code software features of the Trilobio Platform. It will support the integration of an expanding range of specialized lab devices and protocols into one unified, fully automated system.
• In June 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific launched the Heracell VIOS 250i AxD CO₂ incubator. The AI-enabled incubator features automated door controls for integration into modular lab automation platforms aimed at cell therapy production.
• In February 2024, ABB Robotics and METTLER TOLEDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a solution that integrates ABB’s robots with METTLER TOLEDO’s LabX laboratory instrument management software. Through this collaboration, LabX will be embedded into ABB’s OmniCore robot controllers, allowing the software to manage and coordinate robotic workflows within laboratory environments.