According to new reports, Meta is testing advanced robots capable of performing tasks such as connecting cables, resetting servers, and other technical duties within its data centers. These efforts, which had not been previously announced, aim to gradually reduce reliance on the human workforce while managing labor costs, especially given Meta's rapidly growing investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Meta is estimated to use robots and hardware from several suppliers, including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB. In one test, Kinova’s Gen3 robotic arm was evaluated for disconnecting and reconnecting server power, while another robot is being tested for replacing network cables. A former data center employee estimates that if these projects are successful, the robots could replace up to 80% of the physical workload for some staff; an action that has raised concerns among employees about an increasing shift toward technological substitution.