> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bowerlabs.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Equipment

> Add your lab instruments to the workspace so Bower can answer technical questions about them, help troubleshoot problems, and guide you through procedures, including hands-free with smart glasses.

An equipment item records an instrument in your lab: its make, model, serial number, and location, with a photo if you want one. Equipment sits in your workspace and collections like any other item. To see only your instruments, choose **Equipment** in the workspace **Type** filter.

Once an instrument is in your workspace, Bower knows it exists. Ask Bower about it in a conversation and it can answer technical questions, walk you through common procedures, help diagnose unexpected behavior, and pull up relevant protocols from your workspace.

## Why add your equipment?

The biggest benefit is that Bower can act as a knowledgeable co-worker who knows your specific setup — not just the instrument in general, but **your** centrifuge in Lab 3B with the serial number you gave it.

A few things this unlocks:

* **Troubleshooting.** "The rotor is making a grinding noise" → Bower can work through likely causes for that model, ask clarifying questions, and help you decide whether to keep running or stop.
* **Procedure guidance.** "Walk me through a balance calibration" → Bower gives instrument-specific steps, not generic advice.
* **Hands-free use.** With smart glasses (Ray-Ban Meta or Viture Luma), you can ask Bower what you're looking at, describe what's on the display, or talk through a problem without ever touching your phone or laptop.

## Adding equipment

Click **Create** (the **+** button) and choose **Equipment**. You have four options:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Use my phone">
    Scan the QR code with your phone camera and Bower opens straight into equipment capture. Photograph the nameplate and it saves to your workspace — no need to move the photo across yourself. You'll sign in on your phone the first time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan a photo">
    Take or upload a photo of the instrument — the nameplate, serial tag, or front panel works best. Bower reads the image and auto-fills the make, model, and serial number. Review the result and confirm.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search online">
    Type the instrument name (e.g. *Eppendorf 5810 R centrifuge*) and Bower looks it up. Pick from the results to auto-fill make, model, and a description.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter manually">
    Fill in the details yourself — useful for custom-built kit or instruments Bower can't identify.
  </Step>
</Steps>

After adding, give the instrument a clear name — something your team will recognize in search, like *Centrifuge — Lab 3B* rather than just *Eppendorf 5810R*.

## Talking to Bower about your equipment

Once cataloged, mention the instrument by name in any Bower conversation. You don't need a special command — just describe what you're trying to do or what's going wrong.

> *"Our Eppendorf 5810 R is throwing error code E12 after a long run. What does that mean?"*

> *"I need to run a two-step density gradient with the Beckman. What speeds and times do you recommend?"*

Bower brings in the instrument's specs alongside anything else in your workspace — related protocols, past notes, attached manuals — so answers stay grounded in your actual setup.

## Hands-free with smart glasses

Equipment is most useful during active bench work. With Bower running in Live Mode on Ray-Ban Meta or Viture glasses, you can:

* Ask Bower to identify an instrument you're looking at.
* Describe an error on a display and get a diagnosis without stopping what you're doing.
* Walk through a calibration or maintenance procedure step by step, hands-free.

See [Live Agent Mode](/ai-and-search/live-agent-mode) for setup and tips.

## Editing and removing equipment

Open an equipment item to see its details. From there you can edit any field, update the photo, or delete the entry.

<Note>
  Deleting an instrument moves it to Trash. It does not delete any protocols or notes that reference it.
</Note>


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