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 . <EOS>