I unlocked the automation Chest from the lab an in-game week or so ago, I have one on my farm, and the crafting recipe is still unlocked and usable. I just went back to the lab to upgrade something else, and the Automation Chest is available again to be unlocked.
Reproduction Steps: It reoccurs when I leave the lab and re-enter, I haven't tested different days but it reoccurs after quitting to desktop and restarting the game.
Repro Rate: Everytime I check the upgrade tab in the lab.