RKS Product Design Firm and Product Development Company
Contact
RKS Product Design Firm and Product Development Company

Microlab Prep

Compact automated liquid handler.

Linkedin X-twitter Youtube Instagram

About

Research

Design

UI/UX

Engineering

Prototyping

Outcomes

Laboratories often face challenges with repetitive manual pipetting tasks, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors. Microlab Prep addresses this by providing an affordable, user-friendly automation solution that integrates seamlessly into existing lab environments.

Revolutionizing Lab Efficiency with Compact Automation

Client

Hamilton

Markets

Life Science
Commercial

What We Did

UI/UX Design
Branding Design
Innovation Consulting
Product Engineering
Product Development
Software Engineering
Psycho-Aesthetics®
A modern 3D printer with a transparent enclosure and a touchscreen interface is displayed in a minimalist, bright room. The machine shows an active printing process on its screen.
To design a product that truly resonates with lab professionals, RKS began with deep user-centered research. Through on-site observations, stakeholder interviews, and application of our proprietary Psycho-Aesthetics® methodology, we uncovered the emotional and functional needs of diverse users—from seasoned researchers to lab technicians. Key insights revealed pain points such as workspace crowding, intimidation by overly complex automation systems, and the desire for approachable, intuitive tools. These discoveries shaped the design strategy, guiding us to create a solution that not only performs reliably but also inspires confidence and fits seamlessly into everyday lab workflows.

Research Insights & Discovery

KEY OUTPUTS

User Personas
Psycho-Aesthetics® 2.0 Map
Benchmarking
Opportunity Areas & Design Criteria

How We Used Psycho-Aesthetics™ to Identify Unique Opportunities in the Project.

Using our proprietary Psycho-Aesthetics® 2.0 framework, we conducted in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation in diverse lab settings. We identified key emotional and usability pain points — such as intimidation with complex interfaces, workspace clutter, and trust in precision. These insights guided both the form and interface strategy, ensuring approachability and confidence in operation.

A 2x2 matrix compares lab automation tools by self-actualization (vertical) and interactivity (horizontal). Most machines cluster at low interactivity/functionality; one is in the high interactivity/self-actualization opportunity zone.
A collage of 20 slides showcases AAA_Microlab user interface designs, app screens, diagrams, and flowcharts for a 2025 music or audio product, featuring dark and light touchscreen panels, mobile app layouts, and equipment setup illustrations.
RKS translated research insights into a refined design language that balanced performance, clarity, and emotional resonance. Our team explored multiple form factors with a focus on reducing visual clutter, improving workspace integration, and creating a product that evokes confidence. The result was a compact, approachable form that communicates precision and ease-of-use—key emotional drivers identified during research. Every design element, from button placement to CMF, was intentionally crafted to align with lab culture, reinforce brand perception, and elevate the everyday lab experience.

Industrial Design Concept Development

KEY OUTPUTS

Form Factor Concepts
CMF Strategy
Refined Industrial Design Language
Industrial Design Firm MicroLab Prep product image
To complement the intuitive physical design of the Microlab Prep, RKS crafted a digital interface that simplifies lab workflows and enhances user confidence. We focused on minimizing cognitive load through clean layouts, guided interactions, and real-time feedback. The UI was designed to be accessible for both new and experienced users, balancing technical depth with approachability. Our UX strategy emphasized clarity, efficiency, and trust—ensuring users could confidently execute tasks without training fatigue. Extensive prototyping and usability testing helped refine the experience and align it with real lab needs.

UI/UX Design Development

KEY OUTPUTS

Information Architecture
Touchscreen Interface Design
Custom Iconography & Visual System
Interactive Prototypes
A digital lab interface labeled Prep Intouch Lab displays sample transfer protocols with selectable options for tip racks, plates, samples, diluents, and mixing, organized in panels with graphical representations.
A sleek, modern laboratory instrument labeled Prep features a digital touchscreen interface displaying settings and protocols, with several close-up screenshots of its user interface shown below the machine.
RKS worked closely with Hamilton’s engineering team to refine and validate the internal architecture of the Microlab Prep, ensuring it met performance, manufacturability, and regulatory standards. We conducted rigorous evaluations of part tolerances, thermal behavior, airflow, and user safety across multiple prototypes. Our engineering validation process focused on real-world reliability, longevity, and maintaining the compact footprint required by lab environments. This phase ensured that the final design not only looked polished, but was also fully functional, production-ready, and aligned with lab-grade precision.

Engineering Validation

KEY OUTPUTS

Engineering Evaluation Prototypes
Tolerance Analysis & DFM Refinements
Validation Reports
Two modern 3D printers are displayed: one facing forward showing a touchscreen interface, the other from the side revealing the printers internal mechanisms and components. Both have transparent panels and sleek designs.
A close-up of an automated lab instrument labeled Prep Microlab with multiple pipette tips above a set of test tubes, used for liquid handling in laboratory automation.
In the final stage, RKS supported Hamilton in bridging design intent to production reality. We built production-quality appearance prototypes that captured the exact CMF, detailing, and visual fidelity of the final product for executive review and marketing purposes. In parallel, we provided full manufacturing support—tool-ready CAD, technical documentation, vendor collaboration, and DFM consultation. Our team worked closely with manufacturing partners to ensure every part aligned with performance, cost, and regulatory requirements while maintaining the integrity of the original design.

Appearance Prototype & Manufacturing Support

KEY OUTPUTS

Production-Quality Appearance Prototype
Tool-Ready CAD & Technical Drawings
DFM & Vendor Support
A large 3D printer with a touchscreen interface sits on a workbench in a workshop, surrounded by tools, equipment, and shelves holding various supplies.
Two black-and-white photos show a laboratory instrument with slots for tubes and a touchscreen interface, placed on a workbench in a lab setting with various equipment in the background.
The Microlab Prep has significantly improved laboratory efficiency by automating repetitive pipetting tasks. Users have reported increased accuracy and time savings, leading to higher throughput and reduced human error. This project exemplifies our commitment to creating innovative solutions that address real-world challenges in laboratory environments.

Key Outcomes and Results

Key Accomplishments

Enhanced laboratory efficiency 

Reduced human errors and variability

Improved reproducibility and throughput in experiments

ready to partner with us?

Contact Us

Explore More Works

QUANTUM SI

Protein Sequencer

SOTERA WIRELESS

Patient Monitoring System

STROKE DX

Auto Stroke Detection Device

You have signed up for the designer!

Welcome to a world of design and innovation

Go back to the homepage

Your download has started!

If this is not the case, then click the button below to start it

Start Download