Anthropic previews a standard for laboratory hardware

Anthropic opened a research preview of the Model Hardware Standard, a specification that lets AI agents operate laboratory and manufacturing equipment. Developed with HHMI's Janelia Research Campus, it covers programmable devices including microscopes, liquid handlers and robotic arms.

The standard gives each device a common driver and a description of its capabilities, operating limits and physical characteristics. Agents can discover equipment, read measurements and coordinate operations through interfaces including the Model Context Protocol. The preview is initially available to selected research laboratories and manufacturers, with open sourcing planned later.

Genentech tested the approach by coordinating three instruments for a protein assay. Its researchers also found limits: Claude needed guidance when bubbles disrupted liquid handling.

A shared interface reduces the work of connecting instruments, but the laboratory tests show that reliable control still depends on modelling physical constraints.