Meta Pilots Robots for Physical Data Center Work
Meta is testing robots capable of performing physical tasks inside its data centers, according to reports from WIRED and Ars Technica. The experiments, which involve systems from Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB, could eventually reduce the amount of human labor required to operate the facilities that power the company's artificial intelligence ambitions.
Among the systems being tested is a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm that could power-cycle servers or cut electricity to equipment. Meta is also experimenting with a robot capable of swapping networking cables, a task normally performed by data center technicians. The company has deployed a simple, finger-like robot that can physically press the power button on hardware like Mac minis.
A scissor-lift-style machine with a robotic arm is being trialed at Meta's Ohio campus for jobs like reseating components, and the company has also demonstrated a self-driving robot that can move heavy server racks.
Testing Grounds and Worker Concerns
Some of the robots have already been deployed at Meta's Iowa and Virginia facilities, with the Iowa campus appearing to be one of the company's biggest testing grounds. For the past year, Meta has reportedly been testing two two-arm robots for cable-related work under human supervision, one of which is a dual-armed Watney Robotics robot in Altoona, Iowa.
One worker told WIRED that, if successful, the cable-swapping robot could eventually replace as much as 80% of the workload performed by some employees. Another unnamed employee warned that robots could replace 80% of human roles before long.
Workers have also complained that autonomous robots spend too long charging their batteries, limiting their usefulness.
Company Response and Context
Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan pushed back against the idea that the company is preparing for a future with dramatically fewer workers. Citing a shortage of skilled workers, Brennan said, "We need more workers, not fewer." Meta says its data center projects have supported more than 30,000 skilled trade jobs and 5,000 operational jobs since 2010.
The experiments come as Meta pours enormous resources into physical infrastructure for AI. The company says it is building a global network of AI-optimized data centers designed to accommodate both its AI workloads and the computing demands of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other services.
Meta declined to discuss the specific robotic experiments with WIRED.
Despite the push for automation, Meta has internally acknowledged that robots are not currently suited for the intensive cabling involved in systems such as Nvidia's GB300 supercomputers. The growing complexity of AI data centers presents challenges for robots, making fine motor skills more important for costly and vital components.
Robotics executive Eric Xu described a future where robots are used for incident response, environmental monitoring, and preventative maintenance. Meanwhile, Meta's America's Workforce Academy is designed to train thousands of people annually in electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trades.