Meta tests robots for data center maintenance tasks including power cycling and cable swapping

Meta is evaluating robots to perform technician-level tasks in its data centers, including power cycling servers and swapping networking cables, according to current and former employees familiar with the projects. The effort, which has not been previously reported, aims to reduce labor costs as the company’s spending on AI infrastructure increases.

The company is trialing hardware from multiple vendors, including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB. In one experiment, Meta is assessing whether a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm could be used for power cycling or cutting off electricity to servers. Another test involves a different robot designed to swap networking cables. One Meta data center worker estimates that if successful, the cable-swapping robot could replace up to 80% of some employees’ workloads.

Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan stated that the company is investing in training and hiring workers to build and operate its data centers, emphasizing a need for more skilled labor rather than fewer workers. He noted that the U.S. is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers for infrastructure roles.

Eric Xu, Meta’s senior manager for robotics, previously stated at a conference that the company’s long-term goals include deploying robots in data centers to speed up incident response, monitor environments, and handle preventative maintenance. Xu argued that collaboration and research are necessary to achieve these goals.

The shift toward robotics in data centers reflects broader industry trends. Microsoft and Google have also disclosed investments in robots for data center operations, while Amazon has discussed using robots to help recycle parts at its facilities. Meta’s existing robots, including a self-driving tugger for transporting server racks and an in-house wheeled robot for tracking inventory, are already operational in some data centers.

The hardware used in these experiments has become more capable and affordable in recent years, enabling robots to perform tasks that were previously too delicate or expensive to automate. Several startups are now developing commercial robots capable of assembling servers, swapping parts, and replacing wires, which could further reduce reliance on human labor.