Tim Bedford

I am developing the control software for a high-speed, waste picking, gantry hanging robot. The system will use AI to improve picking performance. A separate AI image processing application (also developed in-house) identifies items for the robot grab from household waste on conveyor belts. Danu is currently a small, investor funded startup. I’m working in a tight team. The software includes a touchscreen user interface and has cloud integration for monitoring and data gathering. It is being developed in C++, running on Linux Ubuntu using Docker containers. All the motors and actuators are controlled through CAN (using the CiA-402 system) . The Kilo Code Claude AI agent is being used selectively to help speed up development.

Laboratory automation development at BioReliance, part of Merck Group KGaA. I was the senior engineer on a UK/US joint project to automate a complex cell testing assay. This involved dealing with multiple external vendors as well as internal IT and LIMS experts, and scientists to ensure that integration works as expected and milestones are hit. I have basic proficiency in Hamilton STAR liquid handler programming as well as deep understanding of Biosero GBG automation software. Getting the most from GBG has involved considerable C# and SQLite development work in order to extend its capabilities. I had also designed objects in CAD for 3D printing and very nearly had a new liquid handler tip design patented (the application fell at the final hurdle).

My day to day responsibility was for software of the Lab2Lab product; this is a wide-area automation system that has been keenly adopted by Novartis, AstraZeneca and other Pharmas. I wrote and maintained the C# software (with WPF) and designed the underlying Oracle database. I also dealt with the full path from customer feature requests through to build and release. In addition I worked on projects including a cloud based diagnostic system, a new tablet coating production system for the pharmaceutical industry, an automated synthesis laboratory. I have considerable experience of working with mechanical and electronic engineers, developing software for lab automation systems. This has involved user interface development, database design, state machine control, distributed network architecture along with all aspects of code archiving, version control, unit test development. I mainly work in C# and WPF and for database development usually Oracle but also MySQL and SQLite. The software applications I have developed have ranged from relatively simple data input and editing applications to specialist middleware utilities through to complex, state-machines based hardware control systems. I have some PLC and embedded C experience too. In addition I have a considerable amount of customer facing and product marketing experience; attending and presenting at conferences and trade shows throughout Europe and North America. In 2018 TTP Labtech was bought by a large investment firm and has since become the core of SPT Life Sciences group.

The PI division of TTP was spun out as a separate subsidiary company called Labtech. This was as part of the move from pure consultancy to developing our own products. During the first few years we still took on several large consultancy developments but by the end we pretty much just developed and sold our own product lines. Lab2Lab started as one component of a large system but was then developed into an in-house product. I developed software applications for many projects and products over this time, much of which had to be 21 CFR Part 11 compliant. Originally mainly with Borland C++ but then moving to C#, with come embedded C and PLC (mainly structured text but ladder logic too) as well.

As part of the Process and Instrumentation division of the renowned consultancy TTP. I worked with mechanical and electronic engineers to help meet customers requirements.

Taking forward a joint project between Dundee University and NCR to develop mechanical modeling software for use in the design of ATMs.

A short contract to investigate using neural networks for the control of mechanical systems.

An attempt to start a business with 3 friends. We developed a software application for use in the forestry industry and won a technology development competition run by local government. We did not have the ability to take it forward.

Working in the exploration side of the oil industry. Based on-shore and on drilling rigs in the North Sea.

Working mainly in Edinburgh but also covering the wider central belt of Scotland.