Meta Begins Testing Robots in Data Centers

Meta has started experimenting with robots to automate tasks in its data centers, including connecting cables, rebooting servers, and maintaining equipment, as reported by WIRED. The trials are focused on equipment developed by Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB, with particular attention on the Kinova Gen3 robotic arm for server management and a system for cable replacement.

Additionally, a simpler robotic mechanism has been deployed to remotely reboot devices like the Mac Mini by pressing their power buttons. One employee noted that if the cable-replacing robot proves effective, it could handle up to 80% of certain job functions. This has raised concerns among workers, who previously thought their roles were secure.

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

While Meta has automated various processes for years, the current robots still lag in performance compared to humans. They are already in use for transporting server racks and managing inventory at Meta’s data centers in Iowa and Virginia, but their limitations include slow operation, downtime for charging, and difficulties with complex tasks such as extensive cabling for supercomputers.

Since mid-2025, two dual-arm Watney robots have been tested in Iowa, operating under human supervision and proving slower than human workers. At the new Prometheus campus in Ohio, ABB machines are being tested for repositioning components, with potential for increased autonomy in the future.

Amid these developments, employees have expressed fears about job reductions. Some believe that advancements in robotics may lead to responsibilities being transferred to less skilled workers. However, Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan assured that the company is still hiring and training specialists for data center operations, emphasizing, “We need more workers, not fewer.”

In 2026, Meta initiated a training program for specialists in electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work, promising job placements for graduates. This comes alongside the recent launch of Meta Compute, an initiative to bolster the company's AI capabilities.