Meta is testing robots to automate tasks such as plugging in cables, resetting servers, and handling other physical work in its data centers, according to current and former workers. The company is using robots and related hardware from several vendors, including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB. One experiment involves evaluating whether a Kinova Gen3 robotic arm could be used for power cycling or cutting off electricity to servers. A Meta data center worker estimates that if successful, the bot could replace up to 80 percent of some people’s workloads.
Meta is also testing a different robot to swap networking cables. In one facility, the company quietly adopted a relatively simple robot that looks like a finger or a pointy stick, which can press the power button on a Mac Mini or similar device when remotely prompted by a human. The company declined to comment on the testing described in this story. A Meta spokesperson said the company is investing heavily in training and hiring workers to build and operate its data centers.
Until recently, robots were not well suited for the delicate work in data centers due to their high cost and earlier failures in simple tasks. However, the hardware has become cheaper, and AI models powering robots are now far more capable than before. Several startups are working on commercial robots for assembling servers, swapping parts, and replacing wires. Robots could offer more consistent output at a lower cost than human labor, especially in less populated regions where data centers are plentiful but qualified workers are scarce.
Source: arstechnica
