Opentrons OT-2

Based on published sources · Not tested by us · Sources checked 2026-10-01

Overview

Programmable laboratory liquid handler with a dedicated OT-2 software route, published customization files and configuration-specific calibration requirements. [S008] [S010] [S012] [S015]

OT-2 is a programmable laboratory liquid handler. Its documented architecture combines Cartesian motion, two pipette mounts and separately driven plungers. The historical architecture source describes a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B running Linux and a modified Smoothieboard exchanging G-code over UART. These are source-reported architecture details, not a teardown of a current purchased unit. [S005]

Official website · Source code

Specifications

Detail	Description
Type	Cartesian laboratory liquid handler with two pipette mounts and separate plunger axes Reported by source [S005] · Checked 2026-10-01
Intended users	Laboratories and developers matching protocols, pipettes, tips and labware to an OT-2 Editorial assessment [S001] · Checked 2026-10-01
Assembly	Not known
Calibration	Deck calibration, then tip length for the specific pipette/tip combination, then pipette offset; labware positioning is an additional check. Reported by source [S015] · Checked 2026-10-01
Operating system	Not known
Computer needed	Documented onboard Raspberry Pi 3 Model B running Linux, plus a separate computer for the OT-2 app Reported by source [S005] [S010] · Checked 2026-10-01

3D preview

Preview not available yet. A model has not yet been prepared and approved for display on this page. This does not mean the project lacks CAD files; see Source files and licenses for the reviewed source availability.

Assembly and use

Use the dedicated OT-2 software route

The shared repository's v9.1.1 app release notes state that OT-2 robots no longer appear in that app. The dedicated OT-2 repository's 26.6.0 notes instead describe an OT-2-specific app and exclude Flex robots. This profile preserves dedicated source commit a5611d1694dbd50463636fb66e6df2af1e4d66a4, a development snapshot rather than a verified installed release. [S007] [S008] [S010] [S011]

Official versioning documentation retrieved October 1, 2026 lists OT-2 API support through 2.28 and associates that API level with OT-2 software 26.6.0. The same page lists newer API levels for Flex. A newer general API example therefore does not establish OT-2 compatibility: select an API level supported by the actual robot and check its requirements. [S014]

The API package documents local protocol simulation on Windows, macOS and Linux, separately from controlling a real robot. Simulation was not run here, and this source review does not establish liquid-transfer accuracy or successful execution of any laboratory procedure. [S006]

Calibration belongs to the actual instrument combination

The official procedure orders deck calibration, tip-length calibration and pipette-offset calibration. Tip length is specific to the physical pipette and tip combination, even between nominally identical pipettes. Deck calibration assumes a level deck; it does not correct a bent or tilted deck. The guide also identifies labware positioning as a separate additional check. [S015]

The architecture describes USB communication through an internal Ethernet adapter, not a generic serial command connection. It also notes that the robot server normally owns GPIO access: stopping it for custom scripts interrupts app connectivity until the service restarts. That advanced developer route is distinct from routine app operation. No services were changed or hardware connected for this review. [S005]

Hardware files support customization, with explicit gaps

The separate hardware repository publishes board designs, wiring information, a deck DXF and scaled robot models for integrations. Its README frames these as customization resources. The preserved file inventory does not establish a complete manufacturing package or current full bill of materials, and no root hardware license was found. Do not transfer the software repository's Apache license to these mechanical or electrical files. [S012] [S013]

The dedicated software source is Apache-2.0 licensed. Its app release notes also reference an end-user agreement for installed software; the source license alone does not describe all distribution terms. The motor firmware and Buildroot system are separate dependencies whose complete matched payloads were not collected here. [S005] [S009] [S010]

A current complete configuration price remains unknown: robot, pipettes, tips, labware, optional modules and delivery depend on the chosen setup. No fabrication, installation, calibration, wet-lab protocol or performance test is claimed. [S005] [S012] [S015]

Cost

No current, complete configuration-specific build cost has been established for this profile.

Source files and licenses

Available project sources support research coverage; complete build and commercial qualification remain separate.

Layer	Availability / license
mechanical design	available · License not fully assessed Published customization files include deck DXF, robot reference models, board designs and wiring documentation. No root hardware license found in the preserved inventory; completeness and reuse terms remain unresolved. Software Apache terms are not assigned to these files. [S012] [S013]
electronics	available · License not fully assessed Published customization files include deck DXF, robot reference models, board designs and wiring documentation. No root hardware license found in the preserved inventory; completeness and reuse terms remain unresolved. Software Apache terms are not assigned to these files. [S012] [S013]
firmware	not found · License not fully assessed Architecture links the separate SmoothiewareOT fork and Buildroot system. A complete matched firmware/build image and its dependency licenses were not preserved in this review; this is not a claim that source is unavailable upstream. [S005]
software	available · Apache-2.0 Dedicated repository source license. App release notes separately reference an end-user license agreement for installed software; source and distribution terms must not be conflated. [S008] [S009] [S010]
documentation	available · Apache-2.0 Repository documentation only; separate website and hardware materials retain their own terms. [S008] [S009]

Selected protocol-driven liquid-handling route does not require a learned policy or training dataset.

References

Links identify the documentation and revisions used in this profile. Access dates record when each source was retrieved.

S001 · Opentrons / project contributors
Upstream project overview
Accessed 2026-10-01 · README.md
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S002 · Opentrons / project contributors
Repository revision and release metadata
Accessed 2026-10-01 · 1fb64381ce23a053768e472065bd14e2c6d4c3a0
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S003 · Opentrons / project contributors
Repository license
Accessed 2026-10-01 · LICENSE
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S004 · Opentrons / project contributors
Pinned repository artifact inventory
Accessed 2026-10-01 · 1fb64381ce23a053768e472065bd14e2c6d4c3a0 archive file inventory
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S005 · Opentrons / project contributors
OT2_ARCHITECTURE.md
Accessed 2026-10-01 · 1fb64381ce23a053768e472065bd14e2c6d4c3a0 / OT2_ARCHITECTURE.md
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S006 · Opentrons / project contributors
api/README.rst
Accessed 2026-10-01 · 1fb64381ce23a053768e472065bd14e2c6d4c3a0 / api/README.rst
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S007 · Opentrons / project contributors
app-shell/build/release-notes.md
Accessed 2026-10-01 · 1fb64381ce23a053768e472065bd14e2c6d4c3a0 / app-shell/build/release-notes.md
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S008 · Opentrons / project contributors
Dedicated OT-2 README.md
Accessed 2026-10-01 · a5611d1694dbd50463636fb66e6df2af1e4d66a4 / README.md
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S009 · Opentrons / project contributors
Dedicated OT-2 LICENSE
Accessed 2026-10-01 · a5611d1694dbd50463636fb66e6df2af1e4d66a4 / LICENSE
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S010 · Opentrons / project contributors
Dedicated OT-2 app-shell/build/release-notes.md
Accessed 2026-10-01 · a5611d1694dbd50463636fb66e6df2af1e4d66a4 / app-shell/build/release-notes.md
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S011 · Opentrons / project contributors
Dedicated OT-2 snapshot receipt
Accessed 2026-10-01 · a5611d1694dbd50463636fb66e6df2af1e4d66a4
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S012 · Opentrons / project contributors
OT-2 hardware customization overview
Accessed 2026-10-01 · ef9ede131ed1d64daf9a0df5b2140a0a8e56b632
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S013 · Opentrons / project contributors
OT-2 hardware archive inventory
Accessed 2026-10-01 · ef9ede131ed1d64daf9a0df5b2140a0a8e56b632 complete file inventory
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S014 · Opentrons / project contributors
Current official OT-2 versioning
Accessed 2026-10-01 · Retrieved October 1 2026; current documentation distinct from pinned historical source
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.
S015 · Opentrons / project contributors
Current official OT-2 calibration
Accessed 2026-10-01 · Retrieved October 1 2026; current documentation distinct from pinned historical source
Source notes
Source text inspected for the cited scoped claims; see profile claim notes.

Research and review details

Source research only; no installation, physical build or performance test performed. No affiliate links added.

Profile edited 2026-10-01 · Sources checked 2026-10-01 · Next review target 2026-10-31

Revision: a5611d1694dbd50463636fb66e6df2af1e4d66a4 (dedicated OT-2 commit snapshot); historical architecture source 1fb64381ce23a053768e472065bd14e2c6d4c3a0. Combined hardware and software repository activity recorded 2026-09-17 [S011]

Correction guidance · Discussion is not enabled · Profile format 0.6.0-draft.1

Change history