Insider Brief
- Cosmic Buildings is integrating ABB’s RobotStudio® software into its AI-powered Building Information Modeling (BIM) system to digitally simulate and optimize the full construction process before on-site deployment.
- The company’s mobile microfactory enables homes to be built up to 70% faster and at 30% lower cost compared to traditional methods, delivering high-efficiency, disaster-resilient housing in as little as 12 weeks.
- Each Cosmic home is designed to exceed California’s wildfire and energy codes, incorporating non-combustible materials, solar power, battery backup, and water independence, providing a turnkey solution ideal for emergency recovery and sustainable development.
Robots are now helping rebuild Southern California homes after the 2025 wildfires, accelerating construction and cutting costs in disaster zones.
ABB Robotics and Cosmic Buildings have teamed up to deliver automated, on-site homebuilding in fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades, California. The effort brings industrial robotics into emergency housing efforts, a domain long plagued by labor shortages, slow permitting, and high material costs. Using mobile microfactories and intelligent automation, the companies aim to finish 100 homes by 2027.
The system combines ABB’s industrial robots and digital design software with Cosmic’s AI-powered platform, enabling structures to be fabricated and assembled on location. ABB’s IRB 6710 robot model, designed for high precision and heavy lifting, is integrated into Cosmic’s Robotic Workstation Cell. Together, these tools allow millimeter-accurate cutting and assembly of structural wall panels. The entire process is simulated beforehand using ABB’s RobotStudio digital twin software, minimizing surprises once onsite.
“By integrating our robots and digital twin technologies into Cosmic’s AI-powered mobile microfactory, we’re enabling real-time, precision automation ideal for remote and disaster-affected sites,” Marc Segura, President of ABB’s Robotics Division, said in a statement. “In the face of labor shortages and rising costs, this shows how automation can transform housing construction, by building faster, safer and smarter.”
According to ABB, the partnership shows how automation can make construction faster, safer, and more efficient. The 2025 Southern California wildfires destroyed more than 16,000 buildings. In response, Cosmic and ABB deployed their system as a scalable alternative to traditional rebuilding methods. The mobile factory setup, housed in shipping containers, can operate in remote areas and disaster zones where infrastructure has been compromised.
Cosmic’s homes are built with fire-resistant materials and are designed to exceed California’s latest wildfire safety and energy efficiency standards. They include rooftop solar, backup battery storage, greywater recycling, and renewable water generation systems. The company delivers a full-service experience, handling everything from design and permitting to assembly and final inspection.
Cosmic says its microfactory system reduces construction time by up to 70% and cuts costs by about 30% compared to conventional approaches. Homes can be built in 12 weeks for $550 to $700 per square foot, notably lower than Los Angeles’ typical $800 to $1,000+ range. These efficiencies also reduce waste and improve quality, providing relief for underinsured homeowners facing inflated rebuilding costs, the company indicated.
The project reflects growing momentum in construction robotics with the global market is projected to grow by 20% annually through 2030, .according to ABB,. The push is driven by a combination of workforce gaps, increasing demand for sustainable buildings, and the need for scalable solutions after disasters.
Cosmic’s AI platform uses a Building Information Model (BIM) to coordinate every phase of the project. The software maps out structural details, building codes, supply chains, and robot tasks. On location, robots and AI systems work in tandem using computer vision to make real-time adjustments and ensure quality.
