The Hateno Village Research Lab quest leads to a location in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom that is tied to a suite of new abilities – or, rather, new functions for the Purah Pad. In Breath of the Wild, the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab and served as Purah's base of operations. Now, it goes by the same name, but there's a new guy in charge: Robbie, the eccentric researcher who used to be based in the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab.
It's a place players frequently visited to upgrade their Sheikah Slate, and it serves a similar purpose in Tears of the Kingdom. Link is guided here as part of a quest to get the Sensor upgrade, which pings when players are heading towards a Shrine – but it's not immediately obvious where Hateno Ancient Tech Lab actually is, even after arriving in Hateno Village.
Hateno Village Research Lab Location
The Hateno Village Research Lab, as its name might suggest, is found just nearby Hateno Village. Some NPCs in Hateno Village will point out the Research Lab up on the hill, but as long as players' view is uninhibited, they should be able to see what appears to be a Windmill-like structure high up to the east.
In Breath of the Wild, players had to light a torch with a unique blue flame and bring it all the way up the hill without it going out – it could be a real chore if the weather decided to suddenly turn. Accessing the Tears of the Kingdom Hateno Village Research Lab has no such requirement, Link just needs to make his way up the hill that towers over Hateno Village.
How To Get To Hateno Ancient Tech Lab
Hateno Village is found in the southeast corner of Hyrule at coordinates (3415, -2122, 0121), a bit further southeast from Kakariko Village. From Lookout Landing, where players will pick up the Sensor quest that leads to the Research Lab, head east toward the Lanayru Wetlands. Then, follow the road south toward Necluda. Kakariko Village is nestled in a mountainside on the road here, and is well worth stopping for.
After spending some time here, continue on the road that leads southeast out of the village as it turns southward. Take the east (left, if heading south) fork in the road that appears after crossing a short bridge, and follow this road to get all the way to Hateno Village. Once at Hateno Village, head to the east side of town, and climb the hill to reach the Hateno Research Lab.
The Research Lab is found at coordinates (3778, -2114, 0250), for players who want to take a more direct route. If approaching from Mount Lanayru, the easiest way to get there is to launch Link skyward from the Mount Lanayru Skyview Tower. Link can paraglide down to the top of the hill and Hateno Village Research Lab with the help of some Stamina boosts or Tulin's sage ability.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available on the Nintendo Switch.