Meta Tests Robots to Replace Data Center Technicians

Meta is experimenting with robots capable of plugging in cables, resetting servers, and performing other routine data center maintenance tasks, according to multiple current and former employees familiar with the projects. The initiative, first reported by WIRED, could enable the company to operate its expanding data center infrastructure with reduced labor costs as spending on AI capabilities accelerates.

The company is deploying hardware from multiple vendors including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB. One test involves a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm for power cycling operations—cutting electricity to servers when needed. A separate robot is being evaluated for swapping networking cables, a task one data center worker estimates could replace up to 80 percent of certain workloads.

Meta has also introduced a simpler device at some facilities: a mechanical finger that can press power buttons on Mac Minis and similar equipment when remotely triggered by human operators.

Why it matters

The robotics push reflects a broader industry shift as tech companies seek to control operational costs while scaling infrastructure for AI workloads. If successful, automated data centers could fundamentally reshape the labor economics of an industry that has traditionally provided stable technical jobs in exchange for local tax breaks. The development also tests the limits of community agreements built on job creation promises.

Worker concerns mount

Employees at Meta's facilities have expressed anxiety about job security. "We thought those of us performing the physical tasks were safe for a while, but not anymore," one data center worker told WIRED. "It's coming for us all, unfortunately."

Internal discussions at Meta's Altoona, Iowa campus—the company's largest data center operation—have taken on a pessimistic tone, with workers predicting widespread displacement within years. Some employees believe Meta is simultaneously developing AI software to enable hiring of lower-skilled, lower-paid workers for remaining positions.

Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan countered that the company is investing heavily in worker training and hiring, noting a national shortage of skilled data center technicians. The company launched a program this year to train thousands annually in electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work at no cost, with guaranteed employment in states including Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana, and Texas.

Technical challenges remain

The robots face practical limitations. Meta's inventory-tracking robot can only detect grayscale, requiring human verification of equipment indicator lights. The device also struggles with corners and cables obstructing its path. Workers report that battery recharge downtime reduces robot efficiency, and Meta has acknowledged internally that robots cannot yet handle intensive cabling work required for systems like NVIDIA GB300 supercomputers.

At Meta's Altoona campus, which serves as a testing ground for new technologies, the company has been piloting dual-armed Watney robots for cabling work since June of last year. While supervised by humans and slower than manual workers, the robots show potential for future deployment.

Eric Xu, senior manager for robotics at Meta, stated at a conference last year that the company's long-term goals include deploying robots for incident response, environmental monitoring, and preventative maintenance. "We believe more collaboration and research will be needed, but we have to start otherwise we don't have a chance to do this," he said.

The details were first reported by Paresh Dave at WIRED.