Waters launches AI Link to connect agents with lab instruments

Waters has launched AI Link, a software capability that brings Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) to its waters_connect informatics platform. The integration lets scientists use natural language to connect Claude, including Claude Science, and other large language models and agents with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry workflows. Agents can create methods, run acquisitions, process results and coordinate connected sample preparation systems without custom integration.

The company also joined Anthropic’s Model Hardware Standard (MHS) research program, which aims to let agents safely operate laboratory equipment directly and autonomously. Waters says the specification can reduce hardware integration work from weeks or months to hours or minutes. Once enabled, agents could run experiments overnight, adjust parameters as results arrive and recover from instrument errors without intervention.

The capabilities are intended to support automated cycles in which physical tests evaluate AI-generated hypotheses and measurements feed back into models to guide subsequent experiments. Research workflows on waters_connect can progress into development and then into Empower Software for regulated quality control, carrying their audit trails forward. AI Link is available now through early access, with general availability in November for waters_connect customers. Waters’ participation in the MHS research program takes effect immediately.