Meta has initiated trials of robots designed to perform technical tasks within its data centers. These machines are capable of connecting and replacing cables, rebooting servers, and maintaining equipment, according to WIRED, citing current and former employees of the company.

The trials involve equipment from Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB. Specifically, Meta is evaluating the Kinova Gen3 robotic arm for turning servers on and off, as well as another system for replacing network cables.

Kinova Gen3 robotic arm. Source: Kinova Robotics.

In some locations, a simpler mechanism resembling a “finger” has been introduced; it can press the power button on Mac Mini and other devices to reboot them upon receiving a remote command from an employee.

One data center employee believes that if the cable-replacing robot is successfully implemented, it could handle up to 80% of the workload in certain positions.

“We thought that those of us doing physical work would be safe for a while longer, but that's no longer the case,” the source told WIRED.

Meta has declined to comment on specific trials.

Robots Still Lag Behind Humans

The company has been automating certain processes for several years. Autonomous machines are already in use at Meta’s data centers in Iowa and Virginia to transport heavy server racks, and wheeled robots are employed for inventory management.

These robots are also utilized for troubleshooting, but their capabilities are limited. Their cameras operate in grayscale, making it difficult to differentiate between red and green indicators.

Robots struggle with maneuvering around corners and navigating over cables laid on the floor, and they require human assistance to move between buildings.

According to sources from WIRED, these devices operate slower than human workers and experience downtime while charging. Meta has also concluded that the current systems are inadequate for some complex tasks, such as laying extensive cabling for Nvidia GB300-based supercomputers.

Since June 2025, the company has been testing two Watney robots with dual arms for cable work at its campus in Altoona, Iowa. Currently, these robots operate under human supervision and are slower than their human counterparts.

At the new Prometheus campus in New Albany, Ohio, Meta is testing four-wheeled ABB machines equipped with lifting mechanisms and a six-axis robotic arm. These are used to reposition misaligned components and may gain more autonomy in the future.

ABB robot. Source: ABB.

Employees Fear Job Cuts

Sources from WIRED revealed that employees are concerned about potential layoffs. Some workers also believe that advancements in robotics and AI tools may allow Meta to delegate some responsibilities to less skilled personnel.

However, company representative Francis Brennan stated that Meta continues to hire and train specialists for the construction and operation of data centers.

“We need more workers, not fewer,” he emphasized.

In 2026, the company launched a program offering free training for specialists in electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work, with guaranteed employment for graduates in several states.

It is worth noting that in January, Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of Meta Compute, a new initiative aimed at strengthening the company's AI infrastructure.