SoftBank Group has agreed to purchase the robotics division of Swiss engineering firm ABB for $5.4 billion, strengthening its push into artificial intelligence and robotics. The deal is pending global regulatory approval.
ABB will no longer pursue a spin-off of its robotics business as a separate listed company. Morten Wierod, ABB’s CEO since August 2024, described the sale as creating “immediate value to ABB shareholders,” with cash proceeds estimated at $5.3 billion.
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son said:
“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.”
Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) is Son’s concept of AI 10,000 times more intelligent than humans. SoftBank has already invested in AI through chip designer Arm and a major stake in OpenAI, and it holds several robotics-related assets, including AutoStore Holdings and Agile Robots.
SoftBank previously ventured into robotics with Aldebaran and the humanoid robot Pepper — a project that underperformed but now forms part of its renewed robotics strategy. ABB expects separation costs around $200 million, with roughly half included in its 2025 guidance.
The acquisition positions SoftBank to integrate robotics and AI at scale, reflecting the conglomerate’s long-term strategy to lead the emerging Physical AI market.