Platforms
PipetteSim™: VR pipette training for accurate micropipette technique
A virtual reality training simulator that lets students and researchers practise micropipette technique independently — before they ever touch real equipment.
Key points
- PipetteSim™ is a standalone VR application for Meta Quest headsets that simulates real micropipette technique in a photorealistic laboratory environment.
- It is designed for use in universities, colleges, and research institutes to provide students with independent, repeatable pipetting practice before they enter a real lab.
- The simulator covers single and multi-channel pipettes, serial dilutions, and common lab protocols, with real-time feedback on technique at every step.
- Automated performance tracking logs accuracy and technique per student — giving instructors data-driven insight into who is ready for the real bench.
- Because it runs on a standalone headset, PipetteSim™ can be used in libraries, common rooms, or at home — not just in the lab.
- It was developed in partnership with Ewha Womans University and has been adopted across their life sciences curriculum for undergraduate cohorts.
The costs of pipetting mistakes may be larger than you realise
Pipetting errors are one of the most common sources of experimental variability in life science research. They are also largely preventable with proper training — yet most students receive limited hands-on instruction before their first practical session.
~35%
of experimental errors
Attributed to pipetting technique issues in published reproducibility studies
Hours lost
per error
A single pipetting mistake in a 96-well assay can invalidate hours of downstream work
High cost
of reagents
Specialist reagents used during student practicals are expensive — mistakes have direct financial impact
Repeated runs
add up fast
Each repeat practical costs additional supervisor time, consumables, and lab booking resource
Better pre-lab preparation directly reduces these costs. PipetteSim™ gives students the reps they need — privately, at their own pace, without using a single disposable tip or microlitre of reagent.
A cost-saving alternative: virtual reality pipette training
- ✓No consumables — zero tips, reagents, or plates used per session
- ✓No supervisor required — students practise independently at any time
- ✓Unlimited repetitions — practise one step or an entire protocol as many times as needed
- ✓Immediate feedback — errors are flagged the moment they happen, reinforcing correct habit formation
- ✓Consistent instruction — every student receives the same quality of guidance, regardless of class size
- ✓Objective data — instructors receive per-student performance reports, not anecdotal assessments
PipetteSim™ running on Meta Quest 3
PipetteSim™ features
Realistic pipette mechanics
Accurate simulation of single and multi-channel micropipette operation — volume selection, tip attachment, aspiration and dispensing — with real-time technique feedback.
Guided training modules
Step-by-step instruction sequences covering serial dilution, cell culture plate preparation, and standard lab protocols, with audio and visual prompts.
Performance assessment
Automated scoring of accuracy, technique, and speed. Results are logged per student, enabling instructors to identify who needs more practice before the real lab session.
Standalone Meta Quest
No PC, no cables, no internet required. Each headset runs the full application independently — ideal for library lending programmes or pre-lab self-study.
Why VR works for pipette training
Traditional training
- ✗Limited lab time shared across large cohorts
- ✗Consumable cost per student per session
- ✗Supervisor required at all times
- ✗Errors often go unnoticed until results fail
- ✗No standardised performance measurement
- ✗Practice only during scheduled sessions
PipetteSim™ VR training
- ✓Unlimited sessions with no time or space constraints
- ✓Zero consumable cost after initial hardware investment
- ✓Fully autonomous — no staff time required
- ✓Instant, specific feedback on every error
- ✓Automated performance reports per student
- ✓Available 24/7 — library, home, or common room
Who PipetteSim™ is for
PipetteSim™ has been designed for any organisation that trains people to use micropipettes.
Undergraduate life science students
Build foundational technique before their first practical, reducing anxiety and improving first-session performance.
Postgraduate & PhD researchers
Refresher training for those returning to bench work after fieldwork or desk-based periods.
Lab technicians & new staff
Standardised onboarding that ensures every new team member meets the same baseline before working with real samples.
Secondary school students
Introduce future scientists to lab technique before they ever enter a real lab environment.
Clinical & industrial labs
QA-aligned training for regulated environments where documented evidence of competency is required.
Remote & distance learners
Students who cannot access campus facilities can still develop and practise practical skills independently.
A smarter way to build pipetting skills
PipetteSim™ gives students the structured repetition they need to build genuine pipetting confidence — privately, at their own pace, without the pressure of a live lab environment or the cost of wasted consumables.
The result is a cohort that arrives at their first bench session better prepared, more confident, and ready to focus on science — not technique.
Get started
Want to see how PipetteSim™ fits your lab or course?
We'd be happy to walk you through the platform, discuss licensing options, or explore a custom build tailored to your protocols.
Contact Us