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Anthropic unveils new framework allowing AI agents to operate physical devices

By Thomson Reuters Aug 27, 2026 | 1:03 PM

Aug 27 (Reuters) – Anthropic on Thursday rolled out a research preview of “Model Hardware Standard”, ​a framework for AI ‌agents to operate physical devices in scientific research and advanced manufacturing.

The MHS enables AI agents to operate lab ‌and ​manufacturing instruments such ⁠as microscopes and ⁠robotic arms in tandem and perform complex tasks, ranging from routine drug discovery experiments to ​laser calibration on a quantum computer, Anthropic said.

By integrating ⁠agentic AI capabilities ⁠with lab and manufacturing ​hardware, the Claude chatbot maker aims ​to help researchers and engineers ‌execute autonomous, round-the-clock workflows with minimal human intervention, helping speed up processes.

The standard, Anthropic said, ⁠works on any device that has a programmable interface and allows devices and ⁠agents ‌to communicate across networks.

The ⁠company said it is ​sharing ‌an early version of ​the MHS ⁠with partners to help build out safety evaluations before making it open source.

(Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by ​Joyjeet Das)