In the hills of Pacific Palisades, where the scars of the 2025 Southern Californian wildfires remain raw, a bold collaboration is taking shape. ABB Robotics and Cosmic Buildings have joined forces to deploy AI-powered robotics in the service of rebuilding homes—creating not just structures, but a model for sustainable solutions in disaster recovery. Their vision blends technology and design to address urgent needs for speed, affordability, and resilience.
AI-powered robots lead a new era in construction
At the heart of this initiative are AI-powered robots that merge precision engineering with artificial intelligence. ABB’s IRB 6710 robotic arm, combined with Cosmic’s AI-driven Building Information Model (BIM) and Robotic Workstation Cell, forms the backbone of a mobile microfactory stationed on site. Using RobotStudio® digital twin software, the entire construction process is simulated before a single panel is built, ensuring efficiency and reducing errors.
Within this temporary yet powerful setup, the robots craft wall panels in just 20 minutes each—joining timber frames, attaching sheathing, and preparing them for rapid assembly. With support from only two human operators, the factory enables the frame of a house to rise in about 10 days, cutting build times by up to 70% compared to conventional methods.
Modular construction technology for resilient homes
This project also showcases the potential of modular construction technology. Each prefabricated unit integrates non-combustible materials, solar panels, energy storage, and water-independent systems such as greywater recycling. Beyond speed, the designs emphasize durability—exceeding California’s strict wildfire and energy-efficiency codes. By combining modular techniques with robotic precision, ABB and Cosmic create homes that are faster to build, safer to inhabit, and smarter in their use of resources.
A prototype for the future
Though conceived as a rapid response to the Palisades and Eaton fires, the mobile factory represents more than an emergency measure. It is a prototype for global construction: scalable, adaptable, and environmentally responsible. Cosmic has announced plans to construct 100 homes by 2027, proving that robotics can deliver affordability without sacrificing quality.
As Sasha Jokic, Founder of Cosmic Buildings, remarked, the initiative is less about returning to normal and more about rewriting the rules of homebuilding. By aligning automation with sustainability, ABB and Cosmic are pointing toward a future where rebuilding after disaster can be swift, cost-effective, and deeply resilient.
Photography courtesy of ABB ROBOTICS