Meta tests data center robots for power cycling and cable swaps, report says
Meta is testing robots at U.S. data centers for tasks like powering hardware and swapping cables, raising employee concerns about replacing up to 80% of technician roles.
TechRadar, citing Ars Technica, reported that some of the earlier robots have already been deployed at Meta's Iowa and Virginia facilities. The Iowa campus appears to be one of the company's biggest testing grounds, where Meta has reportedly spent the past year testing two two-arm robots for cable-related work under human supervision. A separate scissor-lift-style machine with a robotic arm is also being trialed at Meta's Ohio campus for tasks like reseating components.
The growing complexity of AI data centers presents its own challenges for robotics, making fine motor skills far more important for handling costly and vital components. Worker feedback has not always been positive. One unnamed employee warned that robots could replace 80% of the human roles before long, while others complained that autonomous robots spend too much time charging their batteries rather than working.
Despite these concerns, robots remain part of Meta's plan. Robotics executive Eric Xu previously described a future where robots are used for incident response, environmental monitoring and preventative maintenance. Company spokesperson Francis Brennan told Ars Technica: "America is in the middle of its biggest infrastructure boom since World War II, and there's a major shortage of skilled workers to fill the roles; we need more workers, not fewer."