However, they increase with the number of stations equipped to the robot, which currently still leads to reservations. The high flexibility with regard to the expandability of the overall system is advantageous. New stations can be added, and old stations can be removed or modified. This is a great advantage especially for research laboratories and laboratories with changing task profiles. In connection with mobile robots, the complete automation of life science laboratories is achieved. The connection of different partially or fully automated as well as fully manual stations is usually still carried out today by human staff. This is associated with a high ergonomic burden for laboratory staff. In addition, manual transport reduces human creative activities. The throughputs in the system are limited and depend on working hours, the number of available staff and their involvement in other activities. Mobile robots can be used to take over transport tasks. In connection with the use of these helpers, numerous questions have to be solved. This includes the position determination and navigation of the mobile robots. Different methods can be used here. Another important point is the transfer of samples and labware between the mobile robot and the target stations. High levels of precision are required here for optimal, fully automatic operation. Mobile robots move in a common space with humans. Suitable safety precautions are therefore required to prevent the machines from colliding with or affecting people. Different sensory principles can be applied here. In addition to shock sensors that can detect collisions, contactless distance determination can be carried out using infrared or ultrasound-based methods. A precise image of the surroundings of the mobile robot is possible using camera-based methods. In addition to collision detection/avoidance, intelligent systems should also enable the use of suitable algorithms to react to such events and to develop alternative routes. Another point is direct human-robot communication, which in the simplest case can take place via displays or touch displays on the mobile systems. In addition, speech- [13] and gesture-based methods are also being developed [14]. The use of mobile robots in laboratories is still in its infancy and is currently only beginning to development. In the future, further innovative developments are to be expected in this area in particular. The basic usability of a KMR iiwa for automation in a synthesis laboratory was demonstrated by [PERSON] et al. [15]. Extensive investigations into the usability of mobile robots in the laboratory were carried out by [PERSON] et al. [16]. [PERSON] et al. described a procedure for multi-floor navigation [17]. Processes based on human-robot interaction could be used successfully for collision avoidance [18], and [PERSON] et al. reported on the integration of mobile robots into complex workflow management systems [19]. This Special Issue on \"Robotics in Life Science Applications\" aims to consolidate recent developments and applications of robot-based systems for classical laboratory application. The published papers focused on the development of suitable robotic technologies including robots, navigation, and grasping and placing processes. Another focus is on the application of robotic systems in life science applications. This research was funded by the European Research Council (Synergy Project ADAM, grant number 856405); by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research Germany (grant number FKZ 03Z1 KN11, 03A1 KI1); and by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Construction and Tourism of Mecklenburg-West Pommerania, Germany (FKZ: V-360-S-105-2010/352, V-630-F-105-2010/353). The authors declare no conflict of interest.