Inside the Robot-Run Lab of the Future (Do Watch Your Step)

(steady rhythmic music)

[Kyle] This is the future of genetic testing.

We've created a factory.

It's actually a genomics factory

that can process thousands of samples a day

without human intervention.

[Narrator] Yeah, it's the kind of thing

that makes you worried about your job security,

but these robots are actually here to lend a hand.

Welcome to Counsyl in South San Francisco,

home to one of the world's first automated DNA testing labs.

It's definitely a beautiful symphony of chaos.

[Narrator] Kyle Lapham customizes the robots

at the heart of the operation.

He says that automation is the best way

to meet the growing demand for genetic testing.

[Kyle] So, we've designed systems to very accurately

and precisely move tiny bits of fluid

from place to place.

Our robots perform these experiments

with insanely high precision.

[Narrator] It's also you can get your genes tested

at a more reasonable price.

The more we know about our bodies,

the more we can customize the treatment.

In some cases, we're looking for genes

that parents could pass onto their children.

In other cases, it's knowing your risk factors

for getting cancer.

So, each one of these tubes is a patient's.

They all now need to be sorted.

The system is running 24 hours a day

and not waiting for people in order

to perform the next task.

You're going to get a faster turnaround time.

[Narrator] But, these machines are only as smart

as their software.

You could actually create paths in space

and teach the robot about the places

it can and can't go.

[Narrator] Which means they'll have

to answer to their human overlords,

for now at least.

These robots are essentially, they're dumb.

[Narrator] They're also potentially dangerous.

The industrial robots that we use

are powerful enough to crush metal.

If someone were to be in the space,

it would just keep moving right through you,

but we have a tremendous system of safety features

surrounding them that essentially cut the power.

So, if I were to so much to stick my finger through there,

you hear a beep.

This arm just went dead.

[Narrator] So, they've figured out

how to keep employees physically safe,

but what about their livelihoods?

We've continuously hired clinical laboratory scientists.

By having robotics, it allows our scientists

to focus on what they're trained on

which is examining complicated genetic data

instead of performing menial tasks.

[Narrator] Just don't expect these co-workers

to take you out for happy hour anytime soon.