KORAL™ Modular Lab Automation Platform
Differentiate the workflow.
Leverage the system architecture.
Accelerate commercialization.
KORAL™ is FIH Health & Biotech’s modular workflow automation co-development platform for complex diagnostic and life-science applications. It combines liquid handling, configurable automation, workflow-specific SmartSleds™, labware, support for custom consumables, and workflow software in a reusable architecture designed to accelerate workflow development and provide a foundation for commercial product development.
More than a general-purpose liquid handler
General-purpose liquid handlers are designed to automate standardized liquid handling processes. KORAL™ is designed for the development and integration of the complete workflow your application requires.
Start with motion, liquid handling, controls, software and module interfaces. Then tailor KORAL™ to the assay, consumable, labware and process steps that define your workflow.
By leveraging proven platform elements, KORAL™ helps focus investment on what differentiates the application and accelerates the path from workflow feasibility to an integrated automation solution.
KoralFlo™ Workflow Software
KORAL runs on KoralFlo™, FIH Health & Biotech’s modular workflow software architecture, supporting AI-assisted protocol creation, workflow configuration, and pre-run simulation and verification. Its layered control architecture connects operator-level workflow software with instrument controllers and self-describing SmartSled firmware, with device simulation supporting offline workflow development and testing without physical hardware.
Capabilities include camera- and barcode-based chain of custody together with AI assistance for calibration, deck setup, analytics, and support.
KoralFlo™ software and firmware components are developed under IEC 62304-compliant lifecycle processes, allowing applicable architecture and software assets to be leveraged in customer-specific instrument development.
Configure KORAL™ for Your Workflow
Precision Motion + Liquid Handling
Integrate sample preparation, reagent handling, pipetting and workflow-specific process steps on a common automation architecture.
Configurable Deck
Adapt the platform around standard labware, customer-defined consumables, and workflow-specific SmartSleds™.
Quick-Connect SmartSleds™
Add self-describing, hot-swappable modules that add workflow-specific processing, sensing, detection, thermal control, fluidics and consumable handling.
Labware + Custom Consumables
Use commercially available labware, integrate existing proprietary consumables, or develop new consumables around assay and workflow requirements.
Add Workflow-Specific Functionality with SmartSleds™
KORAL™ provides the common automation backbone, while SmartSleds™ integrate the processing, sensing, detection, thermal control, fluidics and consumable handling required by your workflow.
SmartSleds™ can also be custom-developed to extend compatible liquid handling platforms you already own, allowing workflow-specific functionality to be integrated without replacing your existing automation investment and, where applicable, carried forward into a proprietary instrument.
From workflow validation to commercial product development.
Once the workflow and system requirements are understood, FIH Health & Biotech can incorporate applicable KORAL™ hardware, software, firmware, module interfaces, and process knowledge into development of a customer-specific commercial system.
Depending on the application and commercial model, that can include:
• Customer-specific instrument development
• Proprietary hardware and software configurations
• Custom consumables
• SmartSled™-derived technologies
• Customer-branded or OEM solutions
• Manufacturing and lifecycle support
The objective is simple: reuse what has already been proven and focus resources on the elements that differentiate the product.
From automation development to volume manufacturing
Developing a commercial product from a validated workflow requires more than automation.
FIH Health & Biotech can support the commercialization process across:
Design & Development
System architecture, electronics, mechanics, firmware, software, consumables, workflow integration, and design verification.
Industrialization
DFM, prototyping, process development, tooling, test development, automation, and design transfer.
Manufacturing
Injection molding, PCBA/SMT, assembly, supply chain, production ramp, and volume manufacturing.
By integrating manufacturing considerations early in development, KORAL™ can help inform product architecture and provide earlier visibility into manufacturability, reliability and COGS.
Application & Development Areas
KORAL™ can support workflow automation development across:
Diagnostics & IVD | Point-of-Care Testing | Cell & Gene Therapy | Genomics & Sequencing | Proteomics | Life-Science Instruments | Sample Preparation | Consumables Development
Use the icons to explore KORAL™
Motion system:
Gantry with coordinated X/Y motion
Liquid handling:
Hamilton ZEUS 2.0
Instrument controller:
Integrated controller for instrument, UI and workflow coordination
Display:
10.1" touchscreen
Deck layout:
24-track configurable deck
SmartSled™ locations:
Up to 4, depending on configuration
Protocol creation:
Python-based, AI-assisted
Labware + consumables:
Standard, customer-defined or custom formats
KORAL™ at a glance
Use the icons to explore KORAL™
Precision Motion Gantry
Festo EXCM-30 gantry with NEMA 17 stepper motors for coordinated X/Y motion
Touchscreen Display
10.1" touchscreen powered by KoralFlo™, an AI-assisted workflow interface.
Configurable Deck
24-track deck with up to 16 ANSI/SLAS-format positions for labware, consumables, and SmartSleds™
System Controller & Status
STM32H7 dual-core controller coordinates instrument control and workflow; illuminated status bar shows run state
Liquid Handling Module
Hamilton ZEUS 2.0; architecture supports alternative pipetting systems.
Quick-Connect SmartSled™ Bays
Up to 4 swappable SmartSleds™ —auto-recognized and configured
Frequently asked questions
From workflow concept to commercial product.
FIH Health & Biotech can support the transition from workflow feasibility through product development, industrialization and manufacturing.