SoftBank to Acquire ABB Robotics Business
SoftBank has struck a landmark deal to acquire ABB’s robotics division at an enterprise value of about $5.375 billion, ending ABB’s earlier plan to spin off the unit as an independent listing. The transaction, still subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions, is expected to be completed by mid-to-late 2026. ABB will cease pursuing the spin-off route and instead divest its robotics arm directly to SoftBank.
In announcing the acquisition, the leadership of ABB stressed the compatibility of its significant robotics strengths with the AI and computing prowess of SoftBank. The CEO of ABB and the chairman said it was a compelling combination. It would give the robotics business a home in which to grow.
Masayoshi Son’s Vision: SoftBank and Robotics Convergence
Masayoshi Son, the chairman and CEO of SoftBank, has been making a series of large hardware investments over the past year. He characterised the acquisition as another step toward “Physical AI.” It also reflects SoftBank’s future in turning artificial superintelligence into robot hardware. As well as bringing the best technology and talent in the world under a shared vision. In Son’s opinion, the deeply embedded AI in robotic systems is a key road for radical change and can be found in various industries.
SoftBank will contribute its expertise in AI, next-generation computing, and system integration to the robotics field under the new scheme. ABB Robotics certainly already possesses deep technical know-how and industry experience. This adds to SoftBank’s AI infrastructure. This could bring those capabilities to intelligent robotic systems development and deployment at an accelerated pace.
Son is responsible for driving SoftBank’s overall vision and strategy with a focus on AI investments. Including those in chip design (such as the Ampere deal) and AI infrastructure. The robotics buy shows that he isn’t just interested in software and computing but the physical manifestations of AI as well.
Implications for the AI-robotics Landscape
The merger of SoftBank with ABB Robotics could change the game in the robotics industry. ABB’s robotics division already sells industrial robots, collaborative systems and automation products for a variety of industries. Leveraging SoftBank’s AI, the solutions could become more autonomous, adaptive and intelligent.
A recent industry analysis cited SoftBank Robotics and ABB as leading players in humanoid, service, and industrial automation systems. Both companies rank among the top performers driving the broader “embodied AI” market, which integrates intelligence into physical machines. This deal could inspire further innovation in AI-driven robotics. It shall enable integrated systems to become more aware, to think more, and interact more with real environments.
However, you’re not guaranteed to succeed completely. Coordination of large engineering activities, cultural integration, and the harmonisation of long-term R&D schedules are nontrivial. How it shakes out will be influenced by regulatory scrutiny. As well as global competition, and the speed of AI advancement.
The Road Ahead for AI-Powered Robotics
It’s a big strategic shift for both SoftBank and ABB. For SoftBank chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son, the purchase of ABB Robotics is a tangible step towards bringing his AI dreams into the physical realm. Selling the robotics business enables ABB to focus more on its core electrification and automation business. It would give the robotics business a better chance to scale under a more AI-centric parent. The world continues chasing intelligent machines. Therefore, experts often cite the pairing integration as defining how AI and robotics come together in industrial and service contexts.
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