ABB Robotics has partnered with construction technology company Cosmic Buildings to support reconstruction efforts in areas of Southern California affected by the 2025 wildfires.
The initiative involves the deployment of mobile robotic microfactories that will enable the rapid, cost-effective, and sustainable construction of modular homes.
Following wildfires that destroyed more than 16,000 structures across the region, the first microfactory will be established in Pacific Palisades. These facilities will produce structural wall panels with high precision directly onsite, significantly reducing construction time and waste while improving build quality.
The collaboration integrates ABB’s industrial robotics and digital twin software with Cosmic Buildings’ AI-driven construction platform.
This includes an end-to-end system for design, permitting, procurement, fabrication, and assembly, all carried out within a mobile unit located at the construction site.
Cosmic’s construction system combines robotic automation with artificial intelligence and computer vision to monitor and optimise the building process in real time.
The homes are designed to exceed California’s wildfire and energy efficiency standards, using non-combustible materials, solar power, battery backup, and water recycling systems.
The initiative aims to deliver 100 homes by 2027. Compared to conventional construction in Los Angeles, the use of robotic microfactories is expected to reduce build times by up to 70% and lower overall costs by approximately 30 per cent. Homes can be delivered in as little as 12 weeks, with estimated costs ranging from US$550 to US$700 per square foot, significantly below the regional average.
The project highlights a broader shift within the construction industry towards automation, driven by the need for more resilient, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions. It also addresses critical challenges such as labour shortages, rising material costs, and the demand for quicker disaster recovery.
The global market for construction robotics is projected to grow at a rate of 20% annually until 2030.
This approach demonstrates how mobile, AI-integrated robotics can play a pivotal role in post-disaster rebuilding efforts, offering a scalable and efficient alternative to traditional construction methods.
Innovative applications of technology in retail and e-commerce, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, automotive, transport & logistics, and more will be celebrated at the Robotics & Automation Awards on 29 October 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s robotics and automation market!
