Meta Deploys Robots in Data Centers for Maintenance Tasks
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Meta Deploys Robots in Data Centers for Maintenance Tasks
- Meta is actively testing robotic systems to automate routine maintenance in its data centers, a move that could potentially handle up to 80% of some technician workloads.
- This initiative, which began with testing dual-armed robots for cabling work in June 2025 in Altoona, Iowa, aims to reduce operational costs and enhance efficiency as Meta's AI infrastructure rapidly expands.
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Meta is currently testing robotic systems in its data centers to automate routine maintenance tasks traditionally performed by human technicians. These robots are designed to handle operations such as equipment monitoring, cable management, hardware diagnostics, resetting servers, and power cycling devices. This deployment represents a significant step in the large-scale application of physical robotics within hyperscale computing infrastructure.
The initiative, which officially launched as a pilot program in August 2026, is active in select Meta data centers across the United States, including facilities in Altoona, Iowa, and New Albany, Ohio. At its Altoona campus, Meta has been testing two dual-armed robots for cabling work since June 2025. The company is utilizing robots and hardware from various vendors, including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB.
Meta’s push for automation is primarily driven by the potential to reduce costly downtime and human error, as well as to keep labor costs in check amidst soaring spending on AI infrastructure. Meta has substantial investments in AI, with projected capital expenditures of $115 to $135 billion in 2026, nearly double the $72.2 billion spent in 2025. The company plans to spend $600 billion on U.S. data centers and infrastructure through 2028.
While Meta states that robots will augment rather than replace human staff, freeing workers for more complex tasks, some current and former workers have expressed concerns about job displacement. One Meta data center worker suggested that a successful cable-swapping system could eventually eliminate up to 80% of the workload in some roles. Despite these concerns, robotics experts note that there is currently no proven solution capable of fully replacing humans in many data center tasks.