In January, the Palisades and Eaton wildfires ripped through Southern California. The flames burnt through 37,000 acres, while claiming more than 16,000 structures.
With an estimated damage cost between $250 billion and $275 billion, the fires are among the most destructive in California’s history. But only half a year later, ABB and Cosmic Building are looking to rebuild the area with sustainable, affordable housing.
Most Read on IEN:
- More Manufacturing Professionals Say Tariffs Will Hurt Industry
- Mangled Microwave Mess Births Desktop Injection Molding Machine
- Without New Customers, Intel 'Likely' to Stop $28B Ohio Project
- PODCAST: Tariffs Hit Manufacturers; Toymakers Cut Frills; U.S. Steel Startup
Cosmic Building, a construction technology company, uses AI-driven end-to-end software to run mobile robotic microfactories. At the heart of its newest microfactory in Pacific Palisades are ABB’s IRB 6710 robots and RobotStudio digital twin software. Both of which are integrated into Cosmic’s Workstation Cell and AI-driven Building Information Model (BIM).
The platform performs design, permitting, procurement, fabrication and assembly. Each home is developed three times faster than traditional methods—and costs 30% less.
Fabrication of custom wall panels is made possible through ABB’s RobotStudio, simulating the entire digital environment before it's ever deployed. On location, Cosmic’s AI works with the ABB robots to make real-time decisions, ensuring consistent quality.
Made with non-combustible material, solar and battery systems, and water recycling, each home exceeds California’s wildfire and efficiency codes.
Addressing industry challenges like labor shortages, affordable housing needs and excessive waste, Cosmic and ABB aim to build 100 homes by 2027.
Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking engineering industry news.
