Cincinnati startup transforms old factory with AI and robotics

Cincinnati startup 1872 is turning a historic Camp Washington factory into a modern steel fabrication operation powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. 

The project could offer a new model for revitalizing older industrial properties while strengthening Greater Cincinnati’s advanced manufacturing sector.

The company, founded by former SpaceX engineers, secured $15 million in seed funding to develop its manufacturing operation. Its approach combines software, automated equipment and robotic welding to modernize traditional steel production.

Historic Camp Washington building gets a new purpose

The Cincinnati manufacturing project centers on the former David Hummel Building Company facility along Spring Grove Avenue in Camp Washington. Built in 1903, the industrial property is now home to 1872’s first factory, known as Factory One.  

The company officially launched its factory on July 22, 2026, alongside the announcement of its $15 million seed funding round. The investment was led by private funds advised by The O.H.I.O. Fund, which invests in businesses and other opportunities across the state.  

Rather than building a new facility from the ground up, 1872 chose an existing industrial property to develop its manufacturing model. Co-founder and CEO Dan Summers selected the site after considering approximately 15 properties, according to Axios.  

The project highlights how older industrial buildings could accommodate new manufacturing businesses while preserving their role in Cincinnati’s industrial economy.

How AI and robotics could change Cincinnati manufacturing

1872 is developing a system that connects software, artificial intelligence and robotics to coordinate multiple stages of steel fabrication. Its goal is to reduce delays and improve efficiency in a sector that often relies on labor-intensive production processes.  

The company’s technology includes several components:

• Factory OS: Proprietary software designed to coordinate manufacturing activities, including material purchasing, cost estimates, production planning and shop-floor operations.
• AI systems: Specialized AI tools intended to support tasks such as material planning, purchasing, welding coordination and logistics.
• Robotic welding: Equipment supplied by Columbus-based Path Robotics, which uses AI to help robots adapt to welding tasks.  

Together, these systems are intended to connect manufacturing planning with physical production. Instead of treating each task as a separate process, 1872 aims to coordinate operations through an integrated software platform.

The company initially plans to manufacture steel skids, which are structural steel frames used to support and transport equipment. Potential markets include data centers, energy infrastructure and small modular nuclear reactors.  

1872 expects automation to reduce production lead times for certain products from months or longer to weeks. That remains a company goal rather than a verified result across its customer base.  

Full factory automation remains a future goal

Although 1872 has begun implementing automation, the company does not expect its entire manufacturing process to operate autonomously immediately.

Its stated target is to achieve its broader vision of factory autonomy in 2027. The facility is intended to serve as a prototype that could help the company refine its technology before expanding the model into other manufacturing operations.  

Human oversight will remain an important consideration as the company develops its system. The goal is to automate and coordinate production tasks, not simply install robotic equipment and eliminate the need for workers.

Cincinnati manufacturing sector draws new investment

1872’s launch comes amid other manufacturing investments in Southwest Ohio, adding to discussions about the region’s potential for industrial growth.

One example is Dainty Foods’ planned $85 million investment to convert a former Georgia-Pacific plant in Batavia Township into its first U.S. manufacturing facility. The project is expected to create 240 jobs, according to Axios.  

Together, these projects illustrate how companies are looking to use existing industrial properties and invest in new production capabilities across the region.

Cincinnati’s established manufacturing base and access to engineering talent could also help attract businesses exploring advanced manufacturing technologies. However, a broader manufacturing boom would depend on sustained investment, business expansion and measurable employment growth.

For 1872, the immediate challenge was to demonstrate that its combination of software and robotics can deliver reliable steel fabrication at commercial scale.

If successful, its Camp Washington facility could provide a model for modernizing other manufacturing operations. The company’s longer-term plans will depend on its ability to refine the technology, meet customer needs and expand beyond its first factory.

Regional economic impact and opportunities

The development offers a look at how traditional manufacturing and emerging technologies could work together in Greater Cincinnati.

Repurposing older factories could give manufacturers access to existing industrial buildings while bringing new uses to properties that might otherwise remain underutilized. Meanwhile, AI and robotics could help businesses address production bottlenecks and shortages of skilled labor.

The project’s eventual impact on the local economy will depend on factors such as hiring, production volume, customer demand and future investment.

For now, 1872’s launch represents a concrete investment in advanced manufacturing in Cincinnati, while the prospect of a wider regional manufacturing resurgence remains a possibility rather than a certainty.