Microsoft Research has created two robots to service the network in the data center

The Microsoft Research team shared information about robotics prototypes designed to service data centers. The company formed the corresponding team a year ago. According to Datacenter Dynamics, its representatives announced the very beginning of a “fundamental shift” in the principles of developing equipment and software for data centers.

The key, according to Microsoft researchers, is to move away from attempts to create humanoid robots. Instead, it is proposed to use self-sufficient modular robots for narrow-profile tasks, capable of both equipment repair and routine maintenance. And monitoring and automation will allow you to proactively identify possible breakdowns before incidents occur. Unfortunately, the development of technology has not led to a significant reduction in failures in complex systems, the researchers state. And the human factor is becoming increasingly important.

Image source: Microsoft

Microsoft Research talked about prototypes of two robots designed to service data centers. The first is equipped with a manipulator arm and grip for servicing individual transceivers. The grip allows transceivers to be carefully adjusted, inserted, and removed from their cages without disturbing cables and adjacent transceivers, which is often the case when servicing is performed by a live technician. The machine vision system allows the robot to assess complex environments and autonomously navigate cable clutter.

The second robot is designed to clean fibers and transceivers. The transceiver with the connected cable just needs to be placed inside the robot, which can be done by a person or a robotic arm. The robot is capable of independently removing the cable from the transceiver and inspecting the end of the cable and the socket in the transceiver, cleaning them if necessary. This is a rather labor-intensive process for humans, especially in the case of MPO cables. The robot uses cameras and special recognition modules to determine the type of cable. The display on the robot allows the operator to receive auxiliary information and a close-up view of the connections being tested.

The company is now focusing its efforts on creating small modules to minimize the number of machine form factors needed to support a wide range of operations. Many of the participants in the new project worked on robots for Project Silica storage facilities. Such robots are capable of autonomously moving between racks, as well as up and down the racks themselves.

The team divided the evolution of data center robotics into four stages. Level 1 involves the use of machines to assist people, Level 2 allows for partial automation where robots can perform specialized tasks under human supervision, Level 3 allows for a high level of automation with limited human supervision. Finally, at Level 4, full automation is provided; all repair and maintenance operations of the data center do not require human participation.

At Level 4 we are talking about completely “self-sufficient” data centers, physically not designed for human participation in processes and optimized for operation in conditions of high rack density and high energy efficiency. People will be able to monitor data centers without being personally present on the premises. Scientists emphasize that even creating robots of the first and second levels is not an easy task, and now their efforts are aimed at such systems. However, it is believed that after reaching Level 2, the transition to Level 3–4 will be easier.

Of course, it’s not just Microsoft that is working on data center robotization projects. Google is also creating technologies that can replace people when servicing data centers, and robotic escorts and robotic patrol dogs are already used quite widely around the world by various vendors. Interestingly, Meta✴ also started creating robots with TopoOpt systems for network maintenance.