Report says Meta is testing robots to do data center repair work

In short: Meta is testing robots inside its data centers to handle hands-on tasks like swapping cables and restarting machines, according to workers cited by Wired.

What's going on

Meta is experimenting with robots that can do physical work in its data centers, according to several current and former workers who spoke to Wired. Data centers are large buildings full of computers that run apps and online services, like giant engine rooms for the internet.

The reported tests include a robotic arm that could “power cycle” servers, which means turning machines off and on again to reset them (like unplugging a router at home). Meta is also testing robots that can swap networking cables. Some sites are using a simple tool that presses a power button on small computers like the Mac Mini when a human triggers it from far away.

Workers told Wired they worry automation could reduce how much human labor is needed for some jobs. One worker estimated a successful cable swapping robot could replace up to 80 percent of certain workloads. Others described fears that roles could shift toward lower-skilled “smart hands” work, where people mainly follow step-by-step instructions.

Meta declined to comment on the specific testing described by Wired. A spokesperson said Meta is investing heavily in training and hiring for data center work, pointing to a new program that trains people for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing roles and, in some states, guarantees jobs for graduates.

What to watch

Robots in data centers are not just a Meta idea. Wired notes Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have discussed or shown related efforts. Watch for whether these robots move beyond small trials, and whether communities offering tax breaks for data centers start asking how many long-term human jobs will actually remain.

Source: Wired