Bringing the Laboratory into the 21st Century
 
Talk2lab

Talk2Lab

What is Talk2Lab?

  • Integration of smart devices in a lab environment
  • “Talk to” Alexa to retrieve real time data from your laboratory
  • Use sensors to monitor temperature, water flow and laser power in a laser lab
  • Alerts and warnings through Slack for out of specification readings
  • Readings and camera views displayed on interactive dashboards

How does Talk2Lab Work?

  • Access sensor data through Slack and Echo dot Devices
  • Uses Node-RED & MQTT for data transferral
  • Access data through dashboards, voice interface and web interface

Why Talk2Lab?

  • Labs have yet to adopt smart technologies; remaining primitive compared to home automation systems
  • Improve access to useful laboratory data
  • New Interaction methods in laboratory environments
  • Allow scientists to have hands-free retrieval of data

Where is Talk2Lab?

  • Developed in a physics laser lab at the University of Southampton
  • Sensors monitor lab environment:
    • Temperature
    • Water flow rates
    • Electricity Consumption
    • Vacuum Pressures
  • Sensors are linked up to MQTT broker for dissemination of readings

What is the future of Talk2Lab?

  • Expansion in number of sensors
  • Process more complex queries
  • Control display screens / dashboards
  • Record data & images in lab books
  • View camera feeds for image analysis
  • Combine different instrument readings to diagnose equipment problems using Machine Learning