diff --git a/pylabrobot/liquid_handling/backends/hamilton/STAR_backend.py b/pylabrobot/liquid_handling/backends/hamilton/STAR_backend.py
index 987fb9b53da..9ff7f2e474a 100644
--- a/pylabrobot/liquid_handling/backends/hamilton/STAR_backend.py
+++ b/pylabrobot/liquid_handling/backends/hamilton/STAR_backend.py
@@ -7599,6 +7599,113 @@ def pattern2hex(pattern: List[bool]) -> str:
       cb=blink_pattern_hex,
     )
 
+  async def verify_and_wait_for_carriers(
+    self,
+    check_interval: float = 1.0,
+  ):
+    """Verify that carriers have been loaded at expected rail positions.
+
+    This function checks if carriers are physically present on the deck at the specified
+    rail positions using the deck's presence sensors. If any carriers are missing, it will:
+    1. Prompt the user to load the missing carriers
+    2. Flash LEDs at the missing positions using set_loading_indicators
+    3. Continue checking until all carriers are detected
+
+    Args:
+      check_interval: Interval in seconds between presence checks (default: 1.0)
+
+    Raises:
+      ValueError: If no carriers are found on the deck.
+    """
+    # Extract carriers from deck children with start and end rail positions
+    track_width = 22.5
+    carrier_rails = []  # List of (start_rail, end_rail) tuples
+
+    for child in self.deck.children:
+      if isinstance(child, Carrier):
+        # Get x coordinate relative to deck
+        carrier_x = child.get_location_wrt(self.deck).x
+        carrier_start_rail = int((carrier_x - 100.0) / track_width) + 1
+        carrier_end_rail = int((carrier_x - 100.0 + child.get_absolute_size_x()) / track_width)
+
+        # Verify rails are valid
+        carrier_start_rail = max(1, min(carrier_start_rail, 54))
+        if 1 <= carrier_end_rail <= 54:
+          carrier_rails.append((carrier_start_rail, carrier_end_rail))
+
+    if not carrier_rails:
+      raise ValueError("No carriers found on deck. Assign carriers to the deck.")
+
+    # Extract end rails for comparison with detected rails
+    # The presence detection reports the end rail position
+    expected_end_rails = [end_rail for _, end_rail in carrier_rails]
+
+    # Check initial presence
+    detected_rails = set(await self.request_presence_of_carriers_on_deck())
+    missing_end_rails = sorted(set(expected_end_rails) - detected_rails)
+
+    if not missing_end_rails:
+      logger.info(f"All carriers detected at end rail positions: {expected_end_rails}")
+      # Turn off all indicators
+      await self.set_loading_indicators(
+        bit_pattern=[False] * 54,
+        blink_pattern=[False] * 54,
+      )
+      print(f"\n✓ All carriers successfully detected at end rail positions: {expected_end_rails}\n")
+      return
+
+    # Prompt user about missing carriers
+    print(
+      f"\n{'='*60}\n"
+      f"CARRIER LOADING REQUIRED\n"
+      f"{'='*60}\n"
+      f"Expected carriers at end rail positions: {expected_end_rails}\n"
+      f"Detected carriers at rail positions: {sorted(detected_rails)}\n"
+      f"Missing carriers at end rail positions: {missing_end_rails}\n"
+      f"{'='*60}\n"
+      f"Please load the missing carriers. LEDs will flash at the carrier positions.\n"
+      f"The system will automatically detect when all carriers are loaded.\n"
+      f"{'='*60}\n"
+    )
+
+    # Flash LEDs until all carriers are detected
+    while missing_end_rails:
+      # Create bit pattern for missing carriers
+      # Flash all LEDs from start_rail to end_rail (inclusive) for each missing carrier
+      bit_pattern = [False] * 54
+      blink_pattern = [False] * 54
+
+      # For each missing carrier (identified by missing end rail), flash all its rails
+      for missing_end_rail in missing_end_rails:
+        # Find the carrier with this end rail
+        for start_rail, end_rail in carrier_rails:
+          if end_rail == missing_end_rail:
+            # Flash all LEDs from start_rail to end_rail (inclusive)
+            for rail in range(start_rail, end_rail + 1):
+              if 1 <= rail <= 54:
+                indicator_index = rail - 1  # Convert rail (1-54) to index (0-53)
+                bit_pattern[indicator_index] = True
+                blink_pattern[indicator_index] = True
+            break
+
+      # Set loading indicators
+      await self.set_loading_indicators(bit_pattern[::-1], blink_pattern[::-1])
+
+      # Wait before checking again
+      await asyncio.sleep(check_interval)
+
+      # Check for presence again
+      detected_rails = set(await self.request_presence_of_carriers_on_deck())
+      missing_end_rails = sorted(set(expected_end_rails) - detected_rails)
+
+    # All carriers detected, turn off all indicators
+    logger.info(f"All carriers successfully detected at end rail positions: {expected_end_rails}")
+    await self.set_loading_indicators(
+      bit_pattern=[False] * 54,
+      blink_pattern=[False] * 54,
+    )
+    print(f"\n✓ All carriers successfully loaded and detected!\n")
+
   async def unload_carrier(
     self,
     carrier: Carrier,