Meta Tests Robots in Data Centers Amid Worker Concerns Over Automation

AI-generated image for representation

Facebook-parent Meta is reportedly testing robots in its data centres. A report citing several current and former workers familiar with the projects noted that the social media giant is testing robots that can plug in cables, reset servers and take on other physical tasks inside its data centers.

A report by Wired cited Meta workers who wished to remain anonymous and said the company is using robots and related hardware from several different vendors, including Watney Robotics, Kinova and ABB. However, Meta and the robotics suppliers haven’t shared any official confirmation.

Meta's expanding use of robots could eventually let it run its rapidly growing data center footprint with fewer people, helping keep labour costs down even as its spending on AI infrastructure keeps climbing.

Meta testing robots for physical data center tasks

In one experiment, Meta is evaluating whether a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm could handle power cycling, or cutting off electricity to servers. The company is also testing a separate robot designed to swap networking cables, the report added.

One Meta data center worker estimates that if that effort succeeds, the bot could take over up to 80 per cent of some employees' workloads. "We thought those of us performing the physical tasks were safe for a while, but not anymore," the worker told Wired. "It's coming for us all, unfortunately."

At some facilities, Meta has quietly adopted a simpler device that resembles a finger, or a pointy stick, which can press the power button on a Mac Mini or other equipment to restart it remotely when prompted by a human.

In a statement, Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan said that the company is investing heavily in training and hiring workers to build and operate its data centers. "America is in the middle of its biggest infrastructure boom since World War II and there's a major shortage of skilled workers to fill the roles; we need more workers, not fewer," he said.

At a conference last year, Eric Xu, Meta's senior manager for robotics, said the company's long-term goals include putting robots in data centers, arguing they could speed up incident response, monitor conditions on site and handle preventative maintenance. "We believe more collaboration and research will be needed, but we have to start otherwise we don't have a chance to do this," he said.

Meta’s growing use of robots raises concerns over data center jobs

Meta’s expansion of its use of robots in data centers is raising concerns among workers that automation could eventually replace some jobs or reduce the need for highly skilled employees. The company already uses robots to move server racks and track inventory, and to test machines for cabling, replace parts, and perform other maintenance tasks. Some robots still have limitations, including slow speeds, navigation problems, battery downtime, and difficulty reading equipment indicators, meaning humans remain necessary. Meta's Altoona, Iowa, data center is reportedly being used as a testing ground for newer robots, including dual-armed machines for cabling. The company is also testing robots at its New Albany, Ohio, campus, the report highlighted. However, robotics experts say there is still no proven solution capable of fully replacing humans in many data center tasks.