Anthropic launches mhs standard to enter physical AI market

On August 27, 2026, Anthropic announced the release of the Model Hardware Standard (MHS) as a research preview, marking its first major foray into physical AI. The MHS is a unified control and communication standard that enables AI agents to operate programmable devices. Physical AI, which can perceive the physical world and perform complex tasks, includes applications like autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots. The MHS allows AI to control multiple devices with minimal human intervention, such as microscopes and quantum computers. Genentech reported that MHS significantly accelerated drug development processes, reducing experiment times by one-third. The MHS was tested in early closed-door trials across fields like biotechnology and quantum computing. It provides AI with direct access to control heterogeneous equipment, streamlining workflows. This development positions Anthropic as a key player in the physical AI space, with potential applications spanning advanced manufacturing and scientific research.