Meta Tests Data Center Robots

Meta is testing robots to perform physical tasks inside its data centers, according to several current and former workers familiar with the projects. The effort, which involves hardware from vendors like Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB, may allow the company to operate its expanding data center network with fewer people.

Company spokesperson Francis Brennan stated that Meta is investing heavily in training and hiring workers for its data centers, citing a major shortage of skilled labor. Meta declined to comment on the specific robot testing described by the workers.

The Robotic Tasks

The robots are being evaluated for a range of duties. One experiment involves testing a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm for power cycling or cutting electricity to servers. A different robot is being tested to swap networking cables.

At some facilities, Meta has already adopted a simpler robotic device. It resembles a finger or a pointy stick and can press the power button on a device like a Mac Mini to restart it when prompted remotely by a human.

Workforce Impact and Concerns

One Meta data center worker provided an estimate of the potential impact. They said a successful cable-swapping robot could replace up to 80 percent of some people's workloads. This prospect has caused concern among staff who perform physical tasks.

"We thought those of us performing the physical tasks were safe for a while, but not anymore," the worker said. "It's coming for us all, unfortunately."

The broader push for automation comes as Meta's spending on AI infrastructure soars. Using robots for repetitive tasks is seen as a way to keep labor costs in check. The company's data center footprint is rapidly expanding.

Vendor Involvement

The workers, who asked to remain anonymous, identified three robotics vendors involved in the projects: Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB. Kinova and ABB declined to comment on their involvement. Watney Robotics did not respond to requests for comment.

The testing effort has not been previously reported. It represents a quiet but significant shift in how massive computing facilities might be maintained. For more on how infrastructure demands shape operational costs, see our stats on energy usage and reliability.

The final implementation and scale of these robotic systems remain unclear. The company's public stance emphasizes workforce growth, while internal tests explore automation. This dual approach highlights the tension between immediate labor needs and long-term operational efficiency in tech infrastructure.