Inside Meta's Push to Put Robots to Work in Data Centers
Meta's data center robots could automate 80% of some technicians' workloads, signaling blue-collar AI jobs are next.
- 01Meta is quietly piloting robots from Kinova, ABB, and Watney Robotics to handle physical data center tasks—cable swaps, server resets, power cycling—as AI infrastructure costs climb.
- 02One technician estimates a successful cable-swap robot alone could eliminate four-fifths of certain roles.
- 03The program hasn't been publicly acknowledged, but vendors and anonymous staff confirm active trials.
- 04Physical data center work, long considered automation-resistant, is now squarely in scope.
Meta's data center robots could automate 80% of some technicians' workloads, signaling blue-collar AI jobs are next.
Meta is quietly piloting robots from Kinova, ABB, and Watney Robotics to handle physical data center tasks—cable swaps, server resets, power cycling—as AI infrastructure costs climb. One technician estimates a successful cable-swap robot alone could eliminate four-fifths of certain roles. The program hasn't been publicly acknowledged, but vendors and anonymous staff confirm active trials. Physical data center work, long considered automation-resistant, is now squarely in scope. **Watch:** Whether Meta's vendor partners announce formal data center robotics partnerships in coming quarters.
Watch: Kinova and ABB earnings calls for data center robotics revenue disclosures that confirm Meta-scale deployment timelines.
Meta is testing robots that can plug in cables, reset servers, and handle other tasks inside its data centers , according to several current and former workers familiar with the projects. The ongoing effort, which has not been previously reported, may eventually allow Meta to operate its rapidly expanding data center footprint with fewer humans, keeping labor costs in check as its spending on AI infrastructure soars . Meta is using robots and related hardware from several different vendors, including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB, according to the same workers, who asked to remain anonymous because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media. Kinova and ABB declined to comment. Watney didn’t respond to requests for comment. In one experiment, Meta is evaluating whether a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm could be used for power cycling or cutting off electricity to servers. The company is also testing a different robot to swap networking cables. One Meta data center worker estimates that if it’s successful, the bot could replace up to 80 percent of some people’s workloads. “We thought those of us performing the physical tasks were safe for a while, but not anymore,” says the worker. “It’s coming for us all, unfortunately.” Read full article Comments
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