Open-Source Robot Revolutionizes Aquatic Embryo Research

LabEmbryoCam, developed by University of Plymouth scientists, uses 3D printing and AI to study early development and environmental impacts on aquatic species.

The LabEmbryoCam is a robotic tool designed to autonomously monitor the early development of aquatic species, tracking metrics like heart rate, growth, and developmental speed.
Developed by the EmbryoPhenomics research group over a decade, the instrument is open-source, with hardware and software designs freely available for global researchers.
The tool supports urgent research into the effects of environmental changes, such as global and ocean warming, on early life stages of aquatic organisms.
A dedicated phenomics facility equipped with LabEmbryoCam instruments can simultaneously screen over 3,000 embryos, addressing pressing ecological and biological challenges.
The LabEmbryoCam is being sold through Phenomyx CIC, a community interest company, and has already been deployed in the UK, USA, and for field studies on Christmas Island red crabs.