Meta is reportedly testing robots capable of performing tasks such as plugging in cables, restarting servers, and other maintenance duties within its data centers. This development, disclosed by current and former Meta employees speaking anonymously to Wired, aims to enable the company to operate its expanding data infrastructure with reduced human labor, thereby controlling costs amidst surging AI investments.
Robotic Workforce Under Evaluation
Sources indicate Meta is employing robots and hardware from multiple vendors, including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB. While Kinova and ABB declined to comment, Watney did not respond to requests for information.
In one experiment, Meta is evaluating if Kinova Gen3 robotic arms can be used for power cycling servers – a process of cutting off and restoring power. Another robot is being tested for replacing network cables. One Meta data center employee estimated that, if successful, these robots could handle up to 80% of certain job functions, leading to concerns about job security among the workforce.
“We thought the employees doing this physical work would be safe, at least for now, but that’s no longer the case,” the employee stated. “It’s sad, but it will ultimately affect all of us.”
In some facilities, Meta has also quietly deployed a simpler robot resembling a finger or a pointed stick. This robot can restart devices like Mac Minis by pressing power buttons after receiving remote commands from human operators.
Meta has declined to comment on these specific robot tests. A company spokesperson, Francis Brennan, stated that Meta is heavily investing in training and hiring staff for data center construction and operation. He emphasized the current high demand for skilled technical workers in the U.S. infrastructure boom, suggesting a need for more, not fewer, people.
Long-Term Vision and Technological Advancements
However, Eric Xu, Senior Manager of Meta’s robotics division, previously articulated that deploying robots in data centers is a “long-term goal,” potentially speeding up response times, monitoring environments, and performing preventive maintenance. He stressed the need to initiate this step, acknowledging that further collaboration and research are required.
Historically, robots were not well-suited for the intricate tasks required in data centers, being costly and sometimes damaging equipment. However, advances in robotics hardware cost reduction and more capable AI models have changed the landscape. Several startups are now developing commercial robots for tasks like server assembly, component replacement, and cable management.
Proponents argue that robots can offer more consistent results at a lower cost than human labor, especially in areas with high data center density but a scarcity of qualified workers. They also frame robots as tools to “help workers” by taking over repetitive and hazardous tasks, allowing human staff to focus on more complex issues.
Looking further ahead, reducing reliance on human workers could make deploying data centers in extreme environments like underwater or in space more feasible.
Industry Trends and Worker Concerns
Paul Golding from Analog Devices noted an increasing customer interest in using humanoid robots for data center operations due to their ability to work in challenging conditions such as higher temperatures and darkness.
The growing presence of robots in data centers has largely flown under the radar for activists protesting data center construction, despite a burgeoning anti-data center movement across the U.S.
Tech companies often highlight job creation as a key benefit of data center development, using it to secure tax incentives. Meta’s large data center campus in Altoona, Iowa, which provides significant annual tax savings, was initially justified by the employment opportunities it created.
Despite these benefits, a sense of unease is reportedly spreading among Meta employees in Altoona, with discussions about potential job displacement due to robots becoming common.
Some employees also express concerns about the degradation of existing jobs, citing Meta’s development of AI software and other technologies that they believe will enable the hiring of lower-skilled, lower-paid workers. The focus appears to be shifting towards hiring individuals who can follow AI instructions rather than those who can independently problem-solve.
Meta, however, continues to emphasize a strong demand for skilled technicians. The company has launched extensive training programs offering free education in electrical, mechanical, and plumbing skills, with job opportunities promised in several states. They are also partnering with construction industry unions to fund apprenticeship programs.
Challenges and Future Prospects
As communities re-evaluate tax incentives and consider new regulations for the data center industry, the possibility of job displacement through automation warrants greater attention. Altoona Mayor Dean O’Connor acknowledged that while he hadn’t deeply considered robots replacing jobs, automation is an inevitable trend.
Meta has previously showcased autonomous guided vehicles for transporting server racks and internal robots for inventory tracking. Competitors like Microsoft and Google are also investing in data center robotics, with Amazon exploring robots for recycling components.
While Meta’s current robots are functional, they face limitations. The inventory robot’s grayscale camera struggles to differentiate status lights, requiring manual checks for certain faults. Maneuvering around cables and turning also pose challenges. Furthermore, inter-building movement often requires manual door opening and remote control operation.
Battery charging times also lead to significant downtime for some robots. Meta acknowledges that robots are not yet capable of highly demanding tasks, such as the complex cabling required for systems like Nvidia’s GB300 supercomputer, noting that current equipment is designed for human hands and quick five-minute repairs.
Altoona as a Testing Ground
Meta’s Altoona facility has become a key testing ground for new technologies. Since June of last year, dual-arm Watney robots have been used for some cabling tasks in one of its data center buildings, operating under human supervision and showing potential despite being slower than human workers.
Watney, originally known for a clothing-folding robot, has shifted its focus to data center robotics. Meta is also testing robots from ABB at its new Prometheus data center in New Albany, Ohio, equipped with robotic arms capable of remounting and securing components.
Despite these advancements, the widespread, stable deployment of robots remains a work in progress. Helen Oleynikova, CEO of Exclaim Robotics, noted that while prototypes exist for tasks like replacing parts and managing cables, no fully validated, consistently working solution has emerged yet.
Ultimately, while robots are poised to take on more responsibilities, the timeline for them to fully replace human workers in data centers remains uncertain, with challenges in redesigning equipment and infrastructure for automated operation still needing to be addressed.
