Meta is quietly testing robots to perform tasks traditionally handled by technicians in its data centers, including plugging in cables, resetting servers, and power cycling hardware. The effort, not previously reported, aims to reduce reliance on human labor as the company scales its AI infrastructure and data center footprint. Workers familiar with the projects, who requested anonymity, say Meta is evaluating robots from vendors like Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB.
One experiment involves a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm testing power cycling or cutting electricity to servers. Another robot is being tested to swap networking cables. A Meta data center worker estimates the cable-swapping bot could replace up to 80 percent of some employees’ workloads if successful.
The push reflects Meta’s broader strategy to control costs amid soaring AI infrastructure spending. Kinova and ABB declined to comment, while Watney Robotics did not respond to requests for comment.
