A method for generating a control program for a laboratory automation device, the method comprising: receiving configuration data of the laboratory automation device, the configuration data encoding positions and/or orientations of components in the laboratory automation device, wherein at least some of the configuration data is determined with one or more sensors of the laboratory automation device, wherein the laboratory automation device comprises a changeable layout with components that are moveable, removable and includable into the laboratory automation device by a user, wherein the positions and/or orientations of these components are determined with the one or more sensors of the laboratory automation device; generating a three-dimensional model of the components of the laboratory automation device from the configuration data, the three-dimensional model additionally including a virtual pipette; displaying the three-dimensional model with a virtual reality headset; receiving movement data of a motion sensing controller controlled by a user wearing the virtual reality headset, the movement data indicating a three-dimensional movement of the motion sensing controller in space; determining a movement of the virtual pipette in the three-dimensional model from the movement data and updating the three-dimensional model according to the movement of the virtual pipette; generating a control program for the laboratory automation device from the movement data, wherein the control program is adapted for moving a pipetting arm with a pipette of the laboratory automation device with respect to the components accordingly to the movement of the virtual pipette in the three-dimensional model. receiving configuration data of the laboratory automation device, the configuration data encoding positions and/or orientations of components in the laboratory automation device, wherein at least some of the configuration data is determined with one or more sensors of the laboratory automation device, wherein the laboratory automation device comprises a changeable layout with components that are moveable, removable and includable into the laboratory automation device by a user, wherein the positions and/or orientations of these components are determined with the one or more sensors of the laboratory automation device; generating a three-dimensional model of the components of the laboratory automation device from the configuration data, the three-dimensional model additionally including a virtual pipette; displaying the three-dimensional model with a virtual reality headset; receiving movement data of a motion sensing controller controlled by a user wearing the virtual reality headset, the movement data indicating a three-dimensional movement of the motion sensing controller in space; determining a movement of the virtual pipette in the three-dimensional model from the movement data and updating the three-dimensional model according to the movement of the virtual pipette; generating a control program for the laboratory automation device from the movement data, wherein the control program is adapted for moving a pipetting arm with a pipette of the laboratory automation device with respect to the components accordingly to the movement of the virtual pipette in the three-dimensional model.