SoftBank Group has announced plans to acquire the robotics division of Swiss engineering giant ABB for $5.4 billion, marking one of its biggest steps yet to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence and robotics. The move, pending global regulatory approvals, means ABB will no longer pursue its earlier plan to spin off the robotics business into a separately listed entity.
“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,” said Masayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank. Son’s concept of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) envisions a form of AI that is 10,000 times smarter than humans, a vision that continues to drive SoftBank’s strategic investments across the AI ecosystem.
The acquisition further cements SoftBank’s ambition to be at the forefront of the AI revolution through a diversified portfolio spanning chips, software, and automation. The conglomerate already owns Arm, the leading chip designer that underpins most AI hardware, and holds a major stake in OpenAI, one of the most influential companies in generative AI. The deal with ABB deepens SoftBank’s push into the realm where AI and physical machines converge — a space Son calls Physical AI.
SoftBank has prior experience in robotics, having taken a majority stake in French firm Aldebaran in 2012. The partnership led to the creation of the humanoid robot Pepper in 2014 — a product that failed to gain traction but demonstrated SoftBank’s long-term commitment to robotics innovation. The company also holds stakes in AutoStore Holdings and Agile Robots, further reinforcing its interest in intelligent automation.
For ABB, the divestment represents a strategic shift under its new CEO, Morten Wierod, who took charge in August 2024. The company described the sale as a value-creation opportunity, stating it would deliver “immediate value to ABB shareholders.” ABB expects approximately $5.3 billion in cash proceeds from the transaction, with total separation costs estimated at around $200 million, half of which is already accounted for in its 2025 financial outlook.
The acquisition, once completed, will bring together ABB’s decades of expertise in industrial robotics with SoftBank’s expanding AI ecosystem — potentially setting the stage for a new phase of innovation where intelligent machines move from digital cognition to physical capability.
