ABB and Cosmic use AI-powered robots to rebuild Los Angeles homes destroyed by wildfires

ABB Robotics says it is “enabling faster, safer and more cost-effective rebuilding” in areas devastated by the 2025 Southern Californian wildfires through a collaboration with Cosmic Buildings, a construction technology company that uses proprietary mobile robotic microfactories. Cosmic claims its method is “the world’s fastest way to build beautiful custom homes”.

After the wildfires burned thousands of acres, destroying homes, infrastructure, and natural habitats, this pioneering initiative will deploy the microfactory in Pacific Palisades, California, to build modular structures onsite, offering a glimpse into the future of affordable housing construction.

Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics Division, says: “Together, Cosmic and ABB Robotics are rewriting the rules of construction and disaster recovery.

“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. In the face of labor shortages and rising costs, this shows how automation can transform housing construction, by building faster, safer and smarter.”

At the heart of the innovation is the integration of ABB’s IRB 6710 robots and RobotStudio digital twin software with Cosmic’s Robotic Workstation Cell and AI-driven Building Information Model (BIM) – an end-to-end platform that handles design, permitting, procurement, robotic fabrication and assembly.

Housed within an on-site microfactory, these systems fabricate custom structural wall panels with millimeter precision and deliver them just in time for assembly at the construction site.

Launched in response to the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, which destroyed more than 16,000 structures, Cosmic’s mobile factory marks a turning point for resilient, fast, and affordable housing solutions, aiming to build 100 homes by 2027.

Cosmic integrates ABB’s RobotStudio into their AI BIM allowing the entire build process to be simulated and optimized in a digital environment before deployment. Once on location, Cosmic’s AI and computer vision systems work hand-in-hand with the robots, making real-time decisions, detecting issues, and ensuring consistent quality.

Cosmic’s homes are built with non-combustible materials, solar and battery backup systems, and water independence through greywater recycling and renewable water generation.

Each home exceeds California’s wildfire and energy efficiency codes. By delivering a turnkey experience from permitting to final construction, Cosmic is redefining what’s possible in emergency recovery.

The global construction robotics market is expected to grow by 20 percent compound annual growth rate until 2030. Cosmic’s mobile microfactory reduces construction time by up to 70 percent and lowers total building costs by approximately 30 percent compared to conventional methods.

Homes can be delivered in just 12 weeks at $550 to $700 per square foot, compared to Los Angeles’ typical $800 to $1,000+ range. The process also minimizes waste and improves build quality, easing the burden on homeowners facing underinsurance and inflated rebuilding costs.

Sasha Jokic, founder and CEO of Cosmic Buildings, says: “We’re not just building homes; we’re rebuilding the playbook. Our mobile microfactory is fast enough for disaster recovery, efficient enough to drastically lower costs, and smart enough not to compromise on quality.

“By integrating robotic automation with AI reasoning and on-site deployment, Cosmic achieves construction speeds three times faster than traditional methods, completing projects in as little as three months.”

The initiative in Los Angeles is part of a global movement to transform construction through automation, driven by ABB Robotics.

By equipping partners with advanced tools and expertise, ABB is addressing the most pressing challenges in the construction industry, such as labor and skills shortages, excessive waste, sustainable resource use, and the growing need for affordable housing.

Through real-world applications such as Cosmic Buildings, ABB is redefining how buildings are designed and delivered – making construction more resilient, resource-conscious, and accessible where it’s needed most.

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