Tsubame Lab Releases Lab Automation Platform "Tsubame Studio" as Open Source

Tsubame Lab Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Koshiro Narazaki; hereinafter referred to as "Tsubame Lab") will release "Tsubame Studio," specialized control software for lab automation, as free open-source software on [Release Date].

"Tsubame Studio" is a lab automation platform software designed to connect and control various devices used in experimental settings, including not only robot arms but also grippers, electric pipettes, transport mechanisms, and measuring instruments. It offers intuitive operation via a browser-based GUI and supports visual programming, Python script execution, and jog operations using smartphones.

Users without specialized programming knowledge can automate experimental and operational processes by combining robot arms and peripheral equipment. Furthermore, by integrating with measuring instruments, it supports the construction of automated environments that encompass not only experimental operations but also data acquisition, recording, and analysis.

The software will be available on GitHub (`https://github.com/〔organization〕/tsubame-studio`), and anyone can use and modify it free of charge. In addition, development of a desktop app version with simplified installation and initial setup is underway, with a release planned for the near future ([August 2026]). Starting with the open-source version, Tsubame Lab aims to foster an environment where more researchers and developers can engage in lab automation.

Background: The Walls of "Connection" and "Operation" Hindering Lab Automation Adoption

In research and development settings, interest in lab automation is growing with the aim of improving experimental reproducibility, reducing workload, and streamlining data acquisition. However, several hurdles exist in actually introducing robots and experimental equipment and utilizing them in daily research operations.

Many experimental processes are not completed by a robot arm alone. Automation is achieved only when multiple devices and software cooperate, from transporting samples, processing them with grippers and electric pipettes, acquiring data with measuring instruments, to recording and analyzing the results.

However, existing robot control software often depends on specific manufacturers or models, making it difficult to build an environment that uniformly handles the entire experimental process, including peripheral and measuring equipment. Adapting to the different communication specifications and control methods for each device requires specialized knowledge spanning programming, robot control, experimental protocols, and data processing.

Tsubame Lab has been developing a platform that connects robots, peripheral equipment, and measuring instruments, enabling easier automation of the entire experimental process. The open-source release of "Tsubame Studio" is the first step towards expanding lab automation from being solely for a few experts to a technological foundation that researchers, students, and engineers can try, improve, and utilize themselves.

Content of This Release (Scope of Release)

This open-source release provides free access to core control functions, including robot connection, GUI operation, visual programming, Python execution, safety mechanisms, peripheral equipment control, and execution log/program version management. Advanced features such as AI-driven code generation, cloud integration, and execution job management will be offered separately in the future.

All features in this OSS version are available free of charge. Even without specialized programming knowledge, users can try operating it themselves with a compatible robot arm.

Automation Image

Tsubame Studio Main Screen: Action sequence built with blocks and the control panel on the right.

Key Features

1. Visual Programming (Block-based Assembly)

By arranging blocks, users can create action sequences such as "Move to Home → Relative Move → Close Gripper" (based on Google Blockly). Action blocks for robots and peripheral equipment are provided, allowing even programming novices to assemble procedures.

Arranging blocks to describe actions.

2. Automatic Generation of Python Code from Blocks, Also Scriptable

Assembled blocks are automatically converted into Python code on the spot. The generated code can be copied and reused as is, or users can directly write and edit code in the Python script editor for execution, allowing for gradual skill progression based on proficiency.

Python code generated from blocks.

Python script editor.

3. Multi-Model Support, Simulation, and GUI Jog Operation

Compatible with commercially available general-purpose robot arms, handling both 4-axis and 6-axis arms. Supported models include UR, DENSO, DOBOT, and UFACTORY (with plans for expansion). Arm positions (X/Y/Z/orientation) and individual joints can be jogged intuitively using on-screen dials. Operation can be confirmed in simulation (mock) mode without actual hardware, and robot registration and connection can be done via the GUI.

Jog operation of arm position/joints with dials (6-axis).

4. Peripheral Equipment (End-Effector) Control

Fine control of end-effectors, such as gripper open/close, specifying opening percentage, adjusting grip force, and grip detection, as well as electric pipette aspiration/dispensing (specifying speed/volume) and tip removal, can be performed from the GUI.

Peripheral equipment panel: Grip force/opening degree of gripper, aspiration/dispensing of pipette.

5. Standard Safety Mechanisms

In addition to emergency stop (E-Stop), speed limits, and movement range limits, collision detection levels and payload (mass/center of gravity) settings can also be adjusted from the GUI for supported models. This ensures safe usage for educational and research purposes.

Safety settings such as collision detection and payload.

6. Intuitive Jog Operation from Smartphone

Supports teleoperation functionality where the robot is moved by tilting the smartphone, allowing for intuitive teaching operations.

Operating the robot by tilting a smartphone.

7. Execution Log and Program Version Management

Operation and execution history can be viewed and exported as logs, and created programs can be saved with names and change memos for version management. This supports reproducible operations within teams.

Viewing and exporting execution logs.

8. Easily Extensible Architecture

Employs a Port/Adapter design, making it easy to add new robot models and peripheral equipment.

License and Scope of Release (Open Core Policy)

- License: Open Source License GNU AGPL-3.0 (A copyleft license requiring source code publication even for network-provided services. Separate licenses are available for commercial/closed-source use upon consultation).

- Scope of Release: Robot connection, GUI, visual programming, Python execution, safety mechanisms, peripheral equipment control, execution log/program version management.

- To be provided separately in the future: AI-driven code generation, cloud integration, execution job management, advanced audit log features.

Future Outlook

- Desktop App Version Release: A desktop app version with simplified installation and initial setup, making it more accessible, is currently under development and planned for release soon ([August 2026]) (planned for paid distribution). The plan is to offer it with an introduction support and cloud integration, in addition to the open-source core.

- Expansion of Supported Robot Models, Peripheral Equipment, and Measuring Instruments.

- Enhancement of Data Acquisition, Recording, and Analysis through Integration with Measuring Instruments.

- Provision of AI Functionality to Generate Operation Programs from Natural Language Instructions.

- Integration with Cloud Labs (Experiment-as-a-Service).

Tsubame Lab's "Cloud Lab Initiative" aims to realize an environment where experimental processes can be automated and executed remotely over a network. Tsubame Studio will serve as the entry point, acting as the operational platform in the field.

CEO's Comment

"In research, education, and manufacturing, there are often cases where people want to use robots but are deterred by the barrier of specialized knowledge. Through the open-sourcing of Tsubame Studio, we want to create a foundation that allows more people to try, improve, and utilize robots. We hope to foster an ecosystem together with the community."

─ Koshiro Narazaki, Representative Director, CEO, Tsubame Lab Co., Ltd.

Project Information

Repository: `https://github.com/〔organization〕/tsubame-studio`

Usage Fee: Free (Open Source)

License: GNU AGPL-3.0

Operating Environment: Windows [OS / Python version to be specified], Browser (Chrome recommended)

Tech Stack: Python + FastAPI / React + TypeScript / Google Blockly

Company Profile

Company Name: Tsubame Lab Co., Ltd.

Head Office Location: 3F, High City Yushima, 3-4-6 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0034

Sendai Branch: 6-8-1304, Tatsumachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi, 980-0822

Representative: Representative Director CEO Koshiro Narazaki

Business Activities: Development of lab automation, cloud labs, robot control platform software, and proprietary end-effectors.

Official Website: https://tsubamelab.com

Accreditation: Tokyo Institute of Technology Certified Venture (No. 15)

Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Tsubame Lab Co., Ltd.

Email: info@tsubamelab.com

Web: https://tsubamelab.com