Meta is testing robots that can plug in cables, reset servers, and handle other tasks inside its data centers, according to several current and former workers familiar with the projects. The effort, which has not been previously reported, may eventually allow Meta to run its rapidly expanding data center footprint with fewer humans, keeping labor costs in check as its spending on AI infrastructure soars.
Meta data center robots from multiple vendors
Meta is using robots and related hardware from several different vendors, including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB, according to the same workers, who asked to remain anonymous because they weren't authorized to speak to the media. Kinova and ABB declined to comment. Watney didn't respond to requests for comment.
In one experiment, Meta is evaluating whether a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm can handle tasks that currently require human workers. The testing is part of a broader push to automate routine maintenance and operations inside data centers.
Why Meta is pushing robot automation now
The move comes as Meta's spending on AI infrastructure grows sharply. Building and running data centers is expensive, and labor is a major ongoing cost. If robots can handle repetitive tasks like plugging in cables or resetting servers, Meta could reduce the number of workers needed at each facility.
The workers said the testing is still in early stages, and it is not clear when or if the robots will be deployed at scale. But the direction is clear: Meta wants to automate more of the physical work inside its data centers.
What this means for data center jobs
For now, the robots are being tested, not replacing workers. But the long-term goal, according to the workers, is to operate data centers with fewer humans. That could change the job market for data center technicians, who currently handle tasks like cable management, server maintenance, and hardware troubleshooting.
The use of robots in data centers is not entirely new — other companies have explored similar automation. But Meta's scale makes this effort significant. The company operates data centers around the world, and any reduction in staffing could have a large impact.
Our Take: Robot workers are coming, but slowly
To put it plainly, this is a story about cost cutting as much as it is about technology. Meta is spending heavily on AI infrastructure, and labor is one of the few costs it can try to control. Robots that can plug in cables and reset servers are not science fiction — they are being tested right now.
But we should be careful not to overstate what this means. The testing is early, and the workers themselves said it is not clear when or if the robots will be deployed at scale. Data center work involves more than just repetitive tasks — it requires judgment, problem-solving, and the ability to handle unexpected issues. Robots are good at repetition, but they are not yet good at thinking on their feet.
Still, the direction is unmistakable. Meta wants to reduce the number of humans needed to run its data centers. For workers in this field, the message is clear: the skills that matter most will be the ones that robots cannot easily replace.
