  Making user interaction with laboratory equipment more convenient and
intuitive should promote experimental work and help researchers to complete
their tasks efficiently. The most common form of interaction in current
instrumentation is either direct tactile, with buttons and knobs, or interfaced
through a computer, using a mouse and keyboard. Scripting is another function
typical of smart and automated laboratory equipment, yet users are currently
required to learn bespoke programming languages and libraries for individual
pieces of equipment. In this paper, we present two open-source, novel and
intuitive ways of interacting with and scripting laboratory equipment. We
choose the OpenFlexure family of microscopes as our exemplar, due to their
open-source nature and smart control system. Firstly, we demonstrate
'OpenFlexure Voice Control' to enable users to control the microscope
hands-free. Secondly, we present 'OpenFlexure Blockly' which uses the Blockly
Visual Programming Language to enable users to easily create scripts for the
microscope, using a drag and drop web interface. We explain the design choices
when developing these tools, and discuss more typical use cases and more
general applications.
