Opentrons Flex is everything today’s lab automation systems are not. It’s flexible, versatile and liberating.
More freedom for your lab automation
Uniquely flexible
Modular pipettes, gripper, and on-deck hardware that you can swap out yourself
Uniquely accessible
Configurations starting at $26,400, and our Flex NGS Workstation starting at $55,100
Uniquely open
Fully open source software and firmware, and reagent- and labware-agnostic
Uniquely future-facing
Extensive API compatible with “design-of-experiment” programs, including AI-driven agents
Click through the interactive demo on the left to see how easy running a protocol on the Opentrons Flex is.
See the full demo
With the Flex NGS Workstation, you can automate NGS library prep at the scale you need to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and save hands-on time. Automate all your pre-sequencing workflows using any leading reagent system, including fragmentation- and tagmentation-based library prep, on the market.
With the Flex PCR Workstation, you can fully automate your PCR setup and thermocycling workflow for up to 96 samples. Aliquot chilled reagents and samples into a 96-well PCR plate, use the Flex Gripper to load the plate into the on-deck thermocycler on the Flex deck, and then run your chosen PCR program.
With the Flex Magnetic Bead Protein Purification Workstation, you can automate small-scale protein purification and proteomics sample prep for up to 96 samples. This workstation is compatible with many popular magnetic bead-based reagents.
With the Flex Nucleic Acid Extraction Workstation, you can automate DNA/RNA isolation and purification. This workstation comes with the Flex Magnetic Block for separation of magnetic beads, and the Opentrons Heater-Shaker for sample lysis and resuspension of magnetic beads.
With the Flex Prep Workstation, you can automate your simple pipetting workflows such as sample transfers and reagent aliquoting.
Select and run protocols directly from the lab bench using the touchscreen. It also guides you through deck setup and automated calibration.
The Flex Gripper can move plates and tip racks across the deck or on or off modules, maximizing throughput and walkaway time.
Opentrons modules work seamlessly with our robots and software, and can be easily swapped out yourself. Choose from on-deck Thermocycler, Heater-Shaker, Temperature and Magnetic Block.
Reliable liquid transfers from 1–1000 µL with our swappable 1-, 8-, and 96-channel pipettes.
1–50 μL
5–1000 μL
1–50 μL
5–1000 μL
5–1000 μL
Shape your experiments more precisely. Choose a protocol method that’s right for your workflow and experience.
Custom Protocol
Our experts create a protocol optimized for your experiment, no matter how complex.
Flex as much or as little support as you need.
87 × 69 × 84 cm / 34.25 × 27 × 33 in (W, D, H)
Takes up half of your standard lab bench
88.5 kg / 195 lb
Flex pipettes use air displacement technology to offer highly accurate pipetting from 1 to 1000 μL
Smart sensors support automatic calibration, real-time positioning, and error detection
1-, 8-, and 96-channel pipetting
The gantry supports any two Flex 1-Channel or 8-Channel Pipettes, or the Flex 96-Channel Pipette alone
Pipettes are easy to swap out yourself
Flex 1-Channel Pipettes: 1–50 µL, 5–1000 µL
Flex 8-Channel Pipettes: 1–50 µL, 5–1000 µL
Flex 96-Channel Pipette: 5–1000 µL
Opentrons Flex Gripper can manipulate well plates, reservoirs, and tip racks.
Depending on setup, the gripper can move labware to and from slots on the deck, to or from modules, or into the trash chute.
12 main ANSI/SLAS-format deck slots (working area, accessible to pipettes and gripper)
4 additional slots for staging tips and labware (staging area, accessible to gripper only)
Deck can be reconfigured by removing deck slots and replacing them with other deck fixtures, including movable trash and module caddies
7-inch LCD touchscreen featuring scratch- and damage-resistant Gorilla® Glass 3
Enables running protocols and checking on the robot’s status directly from the lab bench
802.11 ac/a/b/g/n Dual-Band (2.4/5 GHz), USB 2.0, ethernet
Integrated video camera (included for future or custom functionality)
Power Adapter Input: 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 4.0 A/115 VAC, 2.0 A/230 VAC
Rigid steel and CNC aluminum design
Frame has openings for polycarbonate side windows and front door. These can be easily removed for integration of external devices, such as robotic arms.
Recommended 20–25 °C
Recommended 40–60% RH
| Pipette | Volume | Random Error | Systematic Error | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µL | %D | µL | %CV | µL | |||
| Flex 1-Channel Pipette (1–50 µL) | 1 10 50 |
±8.00% ±1.50% ±1.25% |
0.08 µL 0.15 µL 0.625 µL |
±5.00% ±0.50% ±0.40% |
0.05µl 0.05µl 0.20µl |
||
| Flex 1-Channel Pipette (5–1000 µL) | 5 50 200 1000 |
±5.00% ±0.50% ±0.50% ±0.50% |
0.25 µL 0.25 µL 1.00 µL 5.00 µL |
±2.50% ±0.30% ±0.15% ±0.15% |
0.125 µL 0.15 µL 0.30 µL 1.50 µL |
Full polycarbonate enclosure designed to limit exposure. The Opentrons Flex is not a sterile environment. An optional HEPA/UV accessory is in development.
Opentrons software is open-source and users can make adjustments to the software as needed to interface with other products. While all integrations are possible, they all require custom code work: most customers will need to write custom libraries and install software packages that are not shipped with the robot.
Use Opentrons Flex Tips and Opentrons Flex Filter Tips
Opentrons guarantees the performance of Opentrons Flex Tips which were specifically designed for the Opentrons Flex. Opentrons Flex tips do not have universal bore sizing. Third party tip performance cannot be guaranteed by Opentrons.
Use common labware already in our Labware Library, or add your own. If your labware fits on the Opentrons Flex but is not in the Labware Library, it can be added by you using our Labware Creator, or by our team.
One year warranty against manufacturer defects
Certifications complete: CE, UL, FCC, ISO 9001
Not certified/validated: IVD, GMP
Flex robot
Trash bin
Power supply and regional IEC cable
Ethernet cable
Tool kit
Spare deck clips
Spare deck slot to take place of trash bin
Calibration block
Lift handles
For FAQs about the OT-2 and Opentrons Flex, click here.
You do not need to know how to code to use the Opentrons Flex platform. Protocols can be created using Opentrons’ plug-and-play protocol design tools. We also have an Applications Engineering team that can build custom protocols for you.
The Opentrons Flex requires on-site installation. We also offer both remote and on-site services solutions, as well as annual preventative maintenance.
You can find more information on Opentrons’ service offerings here.
Yes. Just like the OT-2, the Flex has full capability to accept custom or irregular labware. Our custom labware creation tools can be used to help create the compatible labware definitions that are required to use irregular labware with our software.
Users do not need a computer connected to the Opentrons Flex to run a protocol. Users will need to build the protocol on a computer and upload it to the Flex. Once uploaded, the protocol can be ran solely off the display.
No, Opentrons’ OT-2 pipettes will not be compatible with the Opentrons Flex. The Opentrons Flex is intended for use with our Flex Pipettes.
Yes, the Opentrons Flex’s side windows and front door are removable.
Crashes will be detected by the Opentrons Flex by comparing the actual vs. intended move of the embedded motors.
For example, If the robot expected 2 motor rotations, but only 1 rotation is completed due to a crash(which stops the motors from moving), then the robot would detect a discrepancy between intended move and actual. This would then throw an error and let you know you need to recalibrate.
You can use one computer running the Opentrons App to connect to multiple robots. This is true for both the Opentrons Flex and OT-2 robots.
Users can save up to 8 protocols to the Opentrons Flex display.
20 cm (8 in) of side and back clearance for cables, USB connections, and to dissipate exhaust from instruments like the Thermocycler or Temperature Module.
