Tokyo-headquartered SoftBank Group has become well known in recent years for big money acquisitions made through its $100bn Vision Fund, said to be the world’s largest technology-focused venture capital fund. With existing interests across robotics, AI, communications, software, logistics and transportation, the purchase of ABB Robotics will give SoftBank a further foothold in physical engineering, as the company focuses on the interface of physical and digital technologies.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSoftBank\u2019s next frontier is Physical AI,\u201d said Masayoshi Son, chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether with ABB Robotics, we will unite world-class technology and talent under our shared vision to fuse Artificial Super Intelligence and robotics \u2014 driving a groundbreaking evolution that will propel humanity forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
ABB Robotics has been a key strand of ABB Group\u2019s business for several years, with plans in place prior to the SoftBank deal to spin the division off as a separate listed company. The robotics division accounted for $2.4bn of sales in 2024 – around seven per cent of group revenues – with a workforce of approximately 7,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSoftBank\u2019s offer has been carefully evaluated by the Board and Executive Committee and compared with our original intention for a spin-off,\u201d said Peter Voser, chairman of ABB.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur ambitions for ABB are unchanged and we will continue to focus on our long-term strategy, building on our leading positions in electrification and automation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Together with Machine Automation, ABB Robotics forms the Robotics & Discrete Automation business area for ABB Group. Following the disposal of ABB Robotics, Machine Automation will now be folded into ABB\u2019s Process Automation unit, with ABB Group adjusting its reporting structure and moving to three business areas. According to ABB, the SoftBank deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cSoftBank will be an excellent new home for the business and its employees,\u201d said ABB CEO Morten Wierod. \u201cABB and SoftBank share the same perspective that the world is entering a new era of AI-based robotics and believe that the division and SoftBank\u2019s robotics offering can best shape this era together. ABB Robotics will benefit from the combination of its leading technology and deep industry expertise with SoftBank\u2019s state-of-the-art capabilities in AI, robotics and next-generation computing. This will allow the business to strengthen and expand its position as a technology leader in its field.\u201d<\/p>\n