SoftBank makes $5.4bn bet on AI robots with ABB acquisition
SoftBank has agreed to acquire ABB’s robotics division for $5.4bn, folding one of the world’s largest industrial robot makers into its “Physical AI” push; ABB has said it expects $5.3bn in cash proceeds and a closing in mid‑to‑late 2026, pending approvals.
SoftBank Group has reportedly agreed to acquire ABB’s robotics business for $5.4 billion, in a move that has marked its boldest push yet to fuse artificial intelligence with industrial automation.
The transaction is slated to close in mid‑to‑late 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
The unit SoftBank has agreed to buy is ABB’s global robotics division, which has produced industrial and collaborative robots and associated software used across automotive and electronics manufacturing.
The business employs about 7,000 people and has generated $2.3 billion of revenue in 2024, representing roughly 7% of ABB Group sales. Its operational EBITA margin has been 12.1%, as per reports.
Price, proceeds and timeline
ABB reportedly expects around $5.3 billion in cash proceeds from the divestment once it closes, while completion has been targeted for mid‑ to late‑2026 following antitrust reviews in key jurisdictions.
ABB initially planned to spin off the robotics unit, but opted for a sale amid pressure on profitability and soft demand in parts of Asia. ABB’s chief executive, Morten Wierod, was cited in reports saying the disposal will allow the group to concentrate on electrification and automation, areas where synergies have been stronger.
SoftBank’s ‘Physical AI’ strategy
SoftBank founder and CEO Masayoshi Son has framed the deal within a broader “Physical AI” plan to combine advanced AI with machines that can work in the real world.
The group has already built a portfolio across logistics and warehouse automation—backing firms such as Berkshire Grey and AutoStore—and has created GreenBox, a warehouse‑as‑a‑service joint venture with Symbotic that has contracted about $7.5 billion of systems.