Skip to main content

Facebook is trialing robots that can autonomously move massive computer racks — let’s just hope they don’t forget to unplug before they move

Facebook parent company Meta is testing machines that can move IT infrastructure weighing up to 1,500kg to prevent data center staff from picking up any potential injuries. 

The firm showed off a rig at the Open Compute Summit that’s designed to automate the migration of data center racks while they’re loaded with equipment, according to The Register. 

These motorized carts, made by Jtec, are usually deployed to move racks inside warehouses and often autonomously. But many hyperscalers and big tech companies want to move racks while they’re fully loaded – which is completely unfeasible for human staff to attempt to do alone. That’s why Meta has tapped up Jtec to deploy such a system that can help it move its racks around and over great distances without much of a hitch. It’s called the ORV2/ORV3-Compatible Server Cart and Jtec thinks it’s the future of IT infrastructure transportation in massive data centers.

Automating the transportation of IT equipment

That’s because the handling of heavy racks that meet ORV2 or ORV3 specifications can weigh 1,400kg and 1,500kg respectively. 

The “constant handling of heavy racks … can lead to employee fatigue, posing safety hazards and potentially impacting decision-making”, according to a blog post written by senior Jtec staff, published with the Open Compute Project. 

“The risk of accidents, including collisions with other employees or equipment and falling-over accidents, further heightens safety concerns.”

By employing an automated rack movement system, which comprises ORV2/ORV3-Compatible Server Carts, the firm is hoping to address the safety issues as well as make the whole process of moving IT equipment quicker and more efficient.

Jtec also claims implementing such a system allows for continuous movement, which can lead to better scalability and lets data centers deploy or decommission racks in response to demand, without delay.

As is the case with ideals around IT automation, skilled staff who’d otherwise be asked to move any equipment can be redeployed to work on more strategic tasks.

More from TechRadar Pro



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Windows Copilot leak suggests deeper assimilation with Windows 11 features

Key Windows 11 features may soon be customizable as Microsoft further integrates its Windows Copilot AI assistant into the operating system. This tidbit comes from tech news site Windows Latest , which claims to have discovered new .json (JavaScript Object Notation) files within recent preview builds of Windows 11. These files apparently hint at future upgrades for the desktop AI assistant. For example, a “TaskManagerService-ai-plugin.json” was found which is supposedly a “plugin for Task Manager integration”. If this ever comes out, it could give users the ability to “monitor or close running apps using” Copilot. In total, six are currently tested and they affect various aspects of Windows 11. Next, there is an “AccessbilityTools-ai-plugin.json” that gives Copilot a way to “control accessibility [tools]. This would make it "easier for those with [a] disability to navigate through the system.” Third is “ai-plugin-WindowsSettings.json” for controlling important Windows 11 set...
Post a Comment
Read more

Google Chrome releases security fix for this major flaw, so update now

Google says it has fixed a high-severity flaw in its Chrome browser which is currently being exploited by threat actors in the wild.  In a security advisory , the company described the flaw being abused and urged the users to apply the fix immediately.  "Google is aware that an exploit for CVE-2023-2033 exists in the wild," the advisory reads. Automatic updates The zero-day in question is a confusion weakness vulnerability in the Chrome V8 JavaScript engine, the company said. Usually, this type of flaw can be used to crash the browser, but in this case it can also be used to run arbitrary code on compromised endpoints.  The flaw was discovered by Clement Lecigne from the Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG). Usually, TAG works on finding flaws abused by nation-states, or state-sponsored threat actors. There is no word on who the threat actors abusing this flaw are, though. Read more > Patch Google Chrome now to fix this emergency security flaw > Emergency...
Post a Comment
Read more

Samsung's ViewFinity S9 may be the monitor creatives have been searching for

Originally revealed during CES 2023 , Samsung has finally launched its ViewFinity S9 5K monitor after nine long months of waiting.  According to the announcement, the ViewFinity S9 is the company’s first-ever 5K resolution (5,120 x 2880 pixels) IPS display aimed primarily at creatives. IPS stands for in-plane switching , a form of LED tech offering some of the best color output and viewing angles on the market. This quality is highlighted by the fact that the 27-inch screen supports 99 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut plus delivers 600 nits of brightness.  Altogether, these deliver great picture quality made vibrant by saturated colors and dark shadows. The cherry on top for the ViewFinity S9 is a Matte Display coating to “drastically [reduce] light reflections.”  As a direct rival to the Apple Studio Display , the monitor is an alternative for creative professionals looking for options. It appears Samsung has done its homework as the ViewFinity S9 addresses some of...
Post a Comment
Read more