Meta is actively deploying robotic systems in its data centers, aiming to automate routine technical operations. This is not about futuristic concepts, but about real trials already underway at the company's facilities. The focus is on connecting and replacing cables, restarting servers, and maintaining equipment—tasks traditionally considered the prerogative of humans.
Iron Arms and "Fingers" for Servers
Machines from Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB are serving as test subjects. For example, the Kinova Gen3 robotic arm is being tested for operations involving power disconnection and server reboots. Another, simpler system resembles a mechanical "finger" that presses the power button on Mac Mini and other devices via remote command. This allows resolving freeze issues without the physical presence of an engineer.
Surveyed data center employees estimate the potential of robots to replace cable-related tasks at 80% of the current workload in certain positions. "We thought those of us doing physical work would be safe for a while longer, but not anymore," one worker admitted. Meta, however, does not officially comment on the details of the trials.
Still Raw, but Promising
Automation at Meta is not new. For several years, autonomous carts for transporting heavy racks and wheeled robots for inventory have been operating at facilities in Iowa and Virginia. However, their capabilities are limited: cameras see the world in grayscale and cannot distinguish between red and green indicators, and the machines themselves struggle with turns and cables on the floor, requiring human assistance for inter-building movements.
These systems are still slower than humans and spend time charging. Moreover, Meta has acknowledged that current robots cannot handle complex tasks, such as laying cables for supercomputers based on Nvidia GB300. Since June 2025, two-armed Watney robots have been tested for cable work at the Altoona campus in Iowa, but they operate under human supervision and are slower than people. At the new Prometheus campus in Ohio, four-wheeled ABB machines with a lifting mechanism and a six-axis arm are already installing displaced components and are expected to gain more autonomy in the future.
Fear of Layoffs and Management Promises
Concern over impending layoffs is growing among employees. Some believe that robotization and AI tools will allow Meta to delegate responsibilities to less qualified staff. However, company representative Francis Brennan claims the opposite: "We need more workers, not fewer." In 2026, Meta launched a free training program in electrical, mechanical, and plumbing specialties with guaranteed job placement for graduates in several states. This looks like an attempt to retrain personnel for new realities.
Recall that in January, Mark Zuckerberg announced the Meta Compute initiative to strengthen AI infrastructure, and data center robotization is a logical step in that direction.
My Analysis
This is a classic transitional phase: the technology is already mature enough for simple operations, but still raw for complex scenarios. Meta is essentially preparing the ground for total automation, and statements about a "worker shortage" are more of a PR move than reality. In 3-5 years, when robots learn to distinguish colors and manipulate cables faster, the need for manual labor in data centers will sharply decline. Investors should view this as a signal of Meta's long-term reduction in operating costs, while workers should see it as an incentive to retrain now.
