An AI-powered robot is helping install a solar farm to power Amazon’s data centers

Lifting 60-pound solar panels repeatedly, in some cases 200 panels a day, in desert heat takes a toll on the body. If that isn’t a requirement of the job, Rodrique said a broader range of workers could apply, including people with disabilities.

AES said Maximo has one person driving the robot while another monitors and controls its movements with a single button press.

The project with Amazon is just the beginning. If all goes well, AES expects Maximo to help clear a huge backlog of solar projects over the next three years, with the largest customers being data center hyperscalers.