In my PhD lab we had an epMotion 5075 pipetting robot. I had a like/hate relationship with this machine. Like: it’s an impressive, precision-engineered, piece of hardware. Hate: the software is appalling.
**TL;DR: **Some 3D-printing hackery can create an automated microscope stage from a manual stage for ~0.5% of the cost from the manufacturer.
I have always wanted access to a microscope with an automated stage.