Meta tests robots for data center maintenance and server management

Meta Platforms Inc. is testing advanced robotics to perform physical maintenance tasks within its data centers, a move aimed at supporting its expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure while managing labor costs. According to reports based on interviews with current and former employees, the company is trialing machines from providers such as Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB.

Specific experiments include using a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm to power-cycle or shut down servers, and testing dual-armed Watney robots for network cabling tasks. At Meta’s Prometheus campus in Ohio, ABB machines are being tested to reseat hardware components. Some facilities also utilize simpler automation, such as a robotic device designed to remotely press power buttons on hardware like Mac Minis.

While these robots are currently slower than human technicians and require supervision, workers suggest the technology could eventually replace up to 80% of certain manual workloads. Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan noted that the company still requires skilled labor due to the ongoing data center construction boom in the United States, despite the push toward automation.