Model Hardware Standard (MHS)
The Model Hardware Standard (MHS) is a standardized driver and protocol specification that lets AI agents discover and operate programmable physical devices (e.g., microscopes, liquid handlers, robotic arms) and orchestrate multi-device workflows. Anthropic is running a research preview with selected labs, manufacturers, and partners to develop safety evaluations and best practices before open-sourcing the standard.
What it does
Developers and researchers can use MHS to connect and orchestrate programmable lab or manufacturing equipment with AI agents.
- Availability
- Research preview for a first group of scientific research labs and advanced manufacturers; apply for access
- Pricing model
- Not established
- Deployment
- Works with devices that have a programmable interface
- Privacy
- Not established
- Licence
- Early version shared with preview partners; open source planned
Capability
Modality
Access
Deployment
Pricing
Target user
Evidence
6 claims- Anthropic is opening a research preview of MHS to a first group of scientific research labs and advanced manufacturers. [1]
We’re opening a research preview of the Model Hardware Standard (MHS), a shared specification for AI agents to safely operate physical devices, to a first group of scientific research labs and advanced manufacturers.
Anthropic. Quoted text is outside CC BY 4.0 and keeps its original rights. - MHS works with any device that has a programmable interface. [1]
MHS works with any device that has a programmable interface.
Anthropic. Quoted text is outside CC BY 4.0 and keeps its original rights. - MHS is model-agnostic, and agents can access it using standard protocols such as MCP. [1]
It is also model-agnostic, and any agent harness can access it using standard protocols, such as the Model Context Protocol .
Anthropic. Quoted text is outside CC BY 4.0 and keeps its original rights. - MHS provides three mechanisms for controlling hardware: MCP, a command-line interface, and code files (APIs). [1]
For MHS, there are three such mechanisms: MCP, the command line interface, and code files (APIs).
Anthropic. Quoted text is outside CC BY 4.0 and keeps its original rights. - MHS does not yet work with hardware that lacks a programming interface. [1]
MHS also doesn’t yet work with hardware that lacks a programming interface, so we’re working with the manufacturers of such devices to build in MHS drivers.
Anthropic. Quoted text is outside CC BY 4.0 and keeps its original rights. - Anthropic plans to open-source MHS after further development and research-preview work. [1]
The development of MHS began as a collaboration between Anthropic and HHMI Janelia Research Campus .
Anthropic. Quoted text is outside CC BY 4.0 and keeps its original rights.
Sources
1
1
AnthropicOwner-controlled
https://www.anthropic.com/news/model-hardware-standard-research-preview
Retrieved 2026-10-28 00:27 UTC
Verified
Versions
4| Version | Effective | Change | Changed fields | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2026-10-24 02:04 UTC | material change | modality, access, deployment, availability, deployment | Current |
| 3 | 2026-10-21 03:21 UTC | material change | capability, modality, deployment, availability | Current |
| 2 | 2026-09-26 02:58 UTC | evidence update | score | Current |
| 1 | 2026-08-27 00:00 UTC | publication | None | Current |
In briefs
2- Model Hardware Standard (MHS) leads 2 AI developments in week 35, 2026 Weekly brief 2026-W35
- Model Hardware Standard (MHS) leads 2 AI developments on 27 August 2026 Daily brief 2026-08-27
Original catalog content is licensed under CC BY 4.0, attributed to wowsuchai. Source quotations and linked content keep their original rights.