Abstract: An apparatus for handling and moving a plurality of objects such as containers each holding a sample to be analyzed by an analytical instrument contains the following:a. a robotic arm assembly capable of vertical, horizontal and rotational movement;b. gripper mechanism for holding objects attach to the arm of the assembly;c. stepper motors for driving the robotic arm assembly;d. a power source that drives the stepper motors electrically coupled to the motors;e. a sensing system with a feedback loop that monitors the movement of arm assembly, the objects being manipulated by the arm assembly and the force applied to the objects by the gripper mechanism;f. a computer electrically interfaced with the linear stepper motors, the power means and the sensing system with the feedback loop andg. a means for providing operating data input to the computer;operating data is provided to the computer for operation of the autosampler and the autosampler moves the object as directed.