Using Voice Assistants to Create Laboratory Efficiency
What if you could use your voice to manage data and optimize workflows in your laboratory? Elementa Labs is helping customers do just that, with amazing results. In this Spotlight Series, the Tetra Partner Network is delighted to share an interview with Ahmed Khalil, Co-founder and CEO, Elementa Labs.
Please tell us about your background.
I began my career in sales and business development in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries before I transitioned to early drug discovery research for several years.
In a few sentences, please describe Elementa Labs and why you decided to start it.
After a firsthand experience as a scientist in various labs, I was surprised by how scientific labs continue to rely extensively on paper to document their data, despite the availability of electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) and laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Investigating this further provided clarity on the challenges of digitization in scientific labs and the enormous impact on scientific research worldwide. That served as my motivation to pursue a solution to this problem using voice assistants and to contribute in my own way for a healthier world.
How is Elementa Labs enabling scientists to automate their data collection, optimize workflows and increase data integration?
Performing fast-paced and complex experiments is an overwhelming experience for scientists. Considering the demanding settings of scientific laboratories (sterility, wearing gloves... etc), scientists struggle to multitask between running experiments, writing notes, and accessing data. The seamless integration between Elementa and a lab’s digital tools enables scientists to conduct and document their scientific research more efficiently. Through a simple voice command, scientists can record data, access data, or have step-by-step guidance through their experimental workflows. This hands-free interaction ensures a higher quality of data management and integration, as well as optimizes workflows.
Through a simple voice command, scientists can record data, access data, or have step-by-step guidance through their experimental workflows.
Users can easily be up and running with Elementa in four simple steps. What kind of results and outcomes is Elementa helping customers achieve?
Working closely with scientists, we were able to identify and quantify hidden costs from inefficient workflows, which can be improved by Elementa. For example, we’ve helped scientists save 30% of their time on documentation, increase their productivity by 20% by reducing distractions, 40% richer and more accurate data captured, and 35% reduction in human-prone errors, such as contaminations. This results in accelerating research operations and outcomes with reduced costs.
For example, we’ve helped scientists save 30% of their time on documentation, increase their productivity by 20% by reducing distractions, 40% richer and more accurate data captured, and 35% reduction in human-prone errors, such as contaminations.
How do you foresee voice evolving with the digitization and automation of the lab?
There is an increasing demand for voice assistants in scientific labs. Scientific labs are discovering the benefits and competitive advantage of implementing such technology to speed their innovation process and stay ahead of the market. As lab digitization and automation improve, speech technologies will play an important role in improving data administration and integration in scientific labs. As a result, speech technology will become a necessary tool in every scientific laboratory in the future.
What can we expect to see from Elementa Labs in the coming months?
We are continuously working on improving the digitization process in scientific labs. We are currently busy with various R&D projects, expanding our partnerships, as well as improving our product. We will be announcing our success stories through our LinkedIn page, so stay tuned!
Is there anything else you would like to share about Elementa Labs?
We are open to work closely with scientific labs on R&D projects and improve their lab operations. Feel free to reach out to us to explore partnership synergies.