New AI platform links lab instruments so they can coordinate experiments autonomously

A new software framework developed by Anthropic and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus aims to make laboratory instruments interoperable and controllable by AI agents, potentially cutting experiment set-up times from months to hours. The Model Hardware Standard (MHS) links disparate devices without bespoke integration, serving as “connective tissue” between lab operating systems and instruments. The approach contrasts with existing standards like SiLA, which harmonize communication protocols but don’t directly connect instruments to AI controllers. Early tests at Carnegie Mellon University suggest faster workflows and greater flexibility, though widespread adoption will depend on vendor participation and the robustness of integration across diverse hardware.

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