An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. The intelligent carriers can include one or more image sensors to observe the relative motion of the track as the carrier traverses it. The carriers can also observe position marks on the track surface to provide absolute position information, which can include additional data, such as routing instructions. Synchronization marks may be provided to correct errors in the observed trajectory.

Measurement equipment can be used for control with spectroscopic analysis of individual moving objects. The measurement equipment includes a probe with a surface, from which one or more illumination optical fibres and measurement optical fibres emerge. The optical fibres are arranged so that at least one of the second acceptance cones intersects at least one first acceptance cone at less than 10 mm from the surface. The measurement equipment includes a triggering device detecting the objects upstream of the probe to activate or deactivate the observation of the objects by the probe.