HomeSoftBank Expands Robotics Holdings with ABB Group's Automation Division
# Softbank
# robotics
# physical ai
# The ABB Group
# Mergers and Acquisitions
# artificial intelligence
Japanese investment conglomerate SoftBank Group is acquiring a robotics firm, as the financial giant identifies physical AI as its next major focus.
SoftBank announced Wednesday that it has purchased Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB Group’s robotics division for $5.375 billion. The transaction awaits regulatory approval; SoftBank expects it to finalize in mid-to-late 2026, according to a press release. Sami Atiya, the division head, will leave ABB once the acquisition is complete.
ABB’s robotics unit employs approximately 7,000 people and offers a range of robots and equipment designed for tasks such as picking, cleaning, and painting. The business generated $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024, accounting for 7% of ABB’s total revenue. ABB revealed plans to spin off its robotics group in April.
SoftBank aims to revitalize sales at ABB’s robotics spinoff. The unit’s 2024 revenue was $2.3 billion, down from $2.5 billion the prior year.
Over recent years, SoftBank has expanded its robotics investments and holdings. It has backed firms ranging from established players like AutoStore to startups such as Skild AI and Agile Robots.
The company also introduced its own robotics platform, SoftBank Robotics Group, in 2014.
"SoftBank’s next frontier is physical AI," stated Masayoshi Son, SoftBank’s chairman and CEO, in the press release. "By joining forces with ABB Robotics, we will combine world-class technology and talent to merge Artificial Super Intelligence with robotics—ushering in a transformative era that advances humanity."
Robotics is one of SoftBank’s four key focus areas, alongside AI chips, AI data centers, and energy.
"The heart of the 'Information Revolution' has shifted from personal computers, the internet, and broadband to smartphones, and is now entering a new phase driven by artificial intelligence," SoftBank noted in its release. "In this environment, [SoftBank Group] has committed to achieving artificial super intelligence (ASI) for the benefit of humanity."
TechCrunch has contacted SoftBank for additional details.
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Japanese investment conglomerate SoftBank Group is acquiring a robotics firm, as the financial giant identifies physical AI as its next major focus.
SoftBank announced Wednesday that it has purchased Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB Group’s robotics division for $5.375 billion. The transaction awaits regulatory approval; SoftBank expects it to finalize in mid-to-late 2026, according to a press release. Sami Atiya, the division head, will leave ABB once the acquisition is complete.
ABB’s robotics unit employs approximately 7,000 people and offers a range of robots and equipment designed for tasks such as picking, cleaning, and painting. The business generated $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024, accounting for 7% of ABB’s total revenue. ABB revealed plans to spin off its robotics group in April.
SoftBank aims to revitalize sales at ABB’s robotics spinoff. The unit’s 2024 revenue was $2.3 billion, down from $2.5 billion the prior year.
Over recent years, SoftBank has expanded its robotics investments and holdings. It has backed firms ranging from established players like AutoStore to startups such as Skild AI and Agile Robots.
The company also introduced its own robotics platform, SoftBank Robotics Group, in 2014.
"SoftBank’s next frontier is physical AI," stated Masayoshi Son, SoftBank’s chairman and CEO, in the press release. "By joining forces with ABB Robotics, we will combine world-class technology and talent to merge Artificial Super Intelligence with robotics—ushering in a transformative era that advances humanity."
Robotics is one of SoftBank’s four key focus areas, alongside AI chips, AI data centers, and energy.
"The heart of the 'Information Revolution' has shifted from personal computers, the internet, and broadband to smartphones, and is now entering a new phase driven by artificial intelligence," SoftBank noted in its release. "In this environment, [SoftBank Group] has committed to achieving artificial super intelligence (ASI) for the benefit of humanity."
TechCrunch has contacted SoftBank for additional details.
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