Former SpaceX Engineers Launch 1872 to Automate Steel Fabrication

Three ex-engineers from SpaceX have launched a startup named 1872, which focuses on automating the manufacturing of steel components through AI-based software and robotics. The official debut took place on July 22 with a ribbon-cutting event at their Factory One site in Cincinnati, Ohio. By 2027, the company aims to create a prototype factory capable of automating the majority of the steel fabrication processes for essential infrastructure parts. Initially, 1872 will concentrate on producing steel skids—rectangular frames serving as mobile foundations for modular buildings—catering to clients involved in AI data centers or small modular nuclear reactors. CEO Dan Summers mentioned the company’s objective of achieving autonomy, although they may limit it to 80% due to diminishing returns, marking a transition from aerospace to industrial manufacturing.