SoftBank bulks up its robotics portfolio with ABB Group’s robotics unit

In a bold move signaling its commitment to the future of physical AI, SoftBank Group, the Japanese investment powerhouse, has announced its acquisition of ABB Group’s robotics division for a staggering $5.375 billion. This significant transaction, revealed on Wednesday, is pending regulatory approval and is expected to be finalized by mid-to-late 2026. The robotics segment of ABB, based in Zurich, Switzerland, employs around 7,000 individuals and specializes in manufacturing various robotic solutions for tasks such as picking, cleaning, and painting. In 2024, this division generated $2.3 billion in revenue, accounting for 7% of ABB's total earnings. Notably, this figure represents a decline from $2.5 billion the previous year, prompting ABB's decision to spin out the robotics group last April. As part of this transition, Sami Atiya, the head of ABB's robotics unit, is set to depart once the acquisition is completed. SoftBank aims to rejuvenate the sales and innovation within ABB Robotics, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance its investments in the robotics sector. Over recent years, SoftBank has actively expanded its portfolio by investing in both established companies like AutoStore and innovative startups such as Skild AI and Agile Robots. Additionally, the firm launched its own robotics initiative, SoftBank Robotics Group, back in 2014. Masayoshi Son, SoftBank's chairman and CEO, emphasized the company's vision in the press release, stating, "SoftBank’s next frontier is physical AI. 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." Robotics is one of the four pivotal areas of focus for SoftBank, alongside AI chips, AI data centers, and energy solutions. The company expressed that the ‘Information Revolution’ has transformed over the years, evolving from personal computers and the internet to smartphones, with AI now leading the charge. SoftBank reiterated its mission to achieve artificial super intelligence (ASI) for the enhancement of humanity, marking this acquisition as a significant step towards that goal. TechCrunch has reached out to SoftBank for further insights into this transformative deal.