# High-Speed Petri Dish Systems BBS Automation HEKUdish next Gen Is Now Available By Colin Smith | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-03-10 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hekudish-next-gen References: [packagingeurope](https://packagingeurope.com/news/bbs-automation-aims-for-speed-and-flexibility-with-petri-dish-system/13976.article) & [bbsautomation](https://www.bbsautomation.com/en/news/hekuma-hekudish-next-gen)  BBS Automation introduced HEKUdish Next Gen, a second-generation [automated line](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Flexible-packaging-automation) for producing Petri dishes designed to deliver faster output with adaptable formats, featuring an integrated handling approach to streamline plate production. The system was presented as combining [quality control elements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-speed-barcode-reader) with modular tooling, enabling laboratories and manufacturers to switch sizes and materials without lengthy retooling. Technical highlights included improved throughput, tighter process repeatability and a layout aimed at easing integration into existing production floors, according to the announcement. For labs and contract manufacturers this matters because higher-speed, flexible plate production can cut lead times and support [faster testing ramps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/molecular-testing-platform); the modular, quality-focused design also aligns with trends toward automation that reduces manual touchpoints in life-science supply chains. Image Credit: BBS Automation ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 13% | Freshness: 68% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Modular Automated Plate Production:** Flexible tooling and quick-change formats create the potential for on-demand, customized Petri dish lines that blur the line between manufacturing and lab-scale production. - **High-throughput Laboratory Manufacturing:** Significantly increased throughput and tighter repeatability point toward compressed lead times that could shift testing capacity geographically and temporally. - **Integrated Quality-control Automation:** Built-in QC within the production flow suggests a move away from separate inspection steps, enabling traceable, lower-touch workflows across supply chains. ### Who This Affects Most - **Clinical Diagnostics:** Faster, adaptable plate production could support surge testing scenarios and decentralize sample processing capacity across hospital and reference labs. - **Pharmaceutical Manufacturing:** Scalable, repeatable plate fabrication presents opportunities for accelerated in-process testing and more tightly coupled R&D-to-manufacturing cycles. - **Contract Test Labs:** Modular, high-speed equipment can enable contract labs to offer faster turnaround and bespoke plate formats that differentiate service portfolios. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Automated Meal Cooking Appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/posha-kitchen-robot.md) - [Automated Cooking Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nosh-robot-cooker.md) - [AI-Powered Smart Bird Feeders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-bird-feeders1.md) - [AI-Powered Pet Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petkit.md) - [AI-Powered Recipe Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hisense-dish-designer.md) - [Automated Pcr Testing Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/automated-pcr-testing-system.md) - [Next-Generation Drinking Water Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drinking-water-system.md) - [High-Performance Retail POS Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/histone.md) - [Compact Stacked Centrifuge Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gea-kytero-10.md)