Meta’s Robot Technicians Take On the Data Center Floor

Meta’s Robot Technicians Take On the Data Center Floor

Meta is quietly testing robots from Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB to swap cables, power-cycle servers, and reseat hardware in its data centers. Early results show promise but also limitations, raising questions about the future of technician jobs as AI infrastructure spending soars. The push reflects a calculated bet on automation to control costs.

Meta Is Testing Robots to Take Over Data Center Grunt Work

Meta is piloting robots from Watney Robotics, Kinova and ABB at its Altoona, Iowa and New Albany, Ohio data centers to swap cables, reset servers and cut power. One Meta worker told WIRED the cable-swapping robot could eventually eliminate up to 80% of the workload in some job categories, even as the machines still need close human supervision.