Meta Tests Robots for 80% of Some Data Center Workloads as AI Infrastructure Costs Soar

3 articles · Updated · Ars Technica · Aug 30

Meta is quietly testing robots to plug cables, reset servers and cut power inside data centers, an effort workers say could automate up to 80% of some physical tasks.
Kinova Gen3 robotic arms are being evaluated for power cycling servers, while another robot swaps networking cables and a simpler device presses power buttons on Mac Minis for remote restarts.
Meta is using hardware from vendors including Watney Robotics, Kinova and ABB as it expands data centers and looks to contain labor costs tied to heavy AI infrastructure spending.
Meta declined to discuss the tests, saying instead that the US infrastructure boom has created a skilled-labor shortage and that it still needs more workers to build and operate facilities.

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