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.
“SoftBank’s next frontier is Physical AI,” said Masayoshi Son, chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group.
“Together with ABB Robotics, we will unite world-class technology and talent under our shared vision to fuse Artificial Super Intelligence and robotics — driving a groundbreaking evolution that will propel humanity forward.”
ABB Robotics has been a key strand of ABB Group’s 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.
“SoftBank’s offer has been carefully evaluated by the Board and Executive Committee and compared with our original intention for a spin-off,” said Peter Voser, chairman of ABB.
“Our 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.”
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’s 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.
“SoftBank will be an excellent new home for the business and its employees,” said ABB CEO Morten Wierod. “ABB 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’s 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’s 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.”
Commenting on the deal, Samantha Mou, a senior analyst for industrial robotics at Interact Analysis, said: “This move may push ABB’s competitors, particularly the other ‘Big 4’ players, to accelerate collaborations with AI and software companies or bring in investors, ensuring they have the resources to stay competitive in the AI-driven robotics space.”
“SoftBank has yet to establish a successful track record in robotics investments. This deal marks its first acquisition in the industrial robotics area, and it remains to be seen whether its IT-industry culture can effectively integrate with the industrial engineering tradition at ABB Robotics.”
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