Anthropic previewed the Model Hardware Standard, a driver layer putting agents in charge of lab instruments.

MHS specifies a standardized driver exposing any programmable device through read and write primitives, makes devices discoverable in a common format, and is model-agnostic so agents reach it through protocols including MCP (Anthropic). Named preview results: Genentech automated a BCA protein assay across three instruments with Claude tuning fluid dynamics itself, Carnegie Mellon ran serial dilution dose-response about three times faster with roughly eight hours of integration instead of weeks, QuEra built automated laser recovery at 99.3% success, HHMI Janelia collapsed seven vendor programs into one interface. Device-level safety limits and human approval for high-risk actions are built in, and Anthropic says it will open-source MHS after the preview.