Autonomous chemistry: Navigating self-driving labs in chemical and material sciences

Self-driving labs (SDLs) have recently emerged as one of the most significant technological developments in the chemical and materials sciences and hold the potential to revolutionize the research process. Herein, we discuss the structure of an SDL in terms of the hardware, the coordinator software, and the AI agent and examine how the selection of these elements affects the overall research capabilities. We further look to the application and accessibility of these platforms to better understand their future impact on synthetic and materials chemistry. With the rapid rise in the capabilities of these SDLs, and with the increasing democratization of the space, it is crucial to be aware of both the promises and pitfalls this technology holds.