Meta is testing robots for data center work

Meta is testing robots that can plug in cables, reset servers and handle other physical tasks inside its data centers, according to current and former workers cited by Ars Technica. The effort had not been previously reported and could eventually let Meta run its rapidly expanding data center footprint with fewer people.

The same workers said Meta is using robots and hardware from several vendors, including Watney Robotics, Kinova and ABB. Kinova and ABB declined to comment; Watney did not respond to requests for comment.

What is being trialled

In one experiment, Meta is evaluating whether a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm can be used for power cycling, or cutting electricity to servers. A different robot is being tested for swapping networking cables. One Meta data center worker estimated that, if successful, the bot could take over 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," that worker said.

At some facilities, Meta has quietly adopted a much simpler device that resembles a finger or a pointy stick and can press the power button on a Mac Mini or another machine when prompted remotely by a human.

Meta's response

Meta declined to comment on the testing described in the report. Spokesperson Francis Brennan said the company is investing heavily in training and hiring workers to build and operate its data centers, adding that a shortage of skilled workers means "we need more workers, not fewer." This year Meta launched a free long-term training program in electrical, mechanical and plumbing work, and says it guarantees employment in states including Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana and Texas for those who complete it.

Separately, Eric Xu, senior manager for robotics at Meta, said at a conference last year that placing robots in data centers is among the company's "long-term goals," arguing they could speed up incident response and handle preventative maintenance.