SoftBank Group has announced its agreement to acquire the robotics division of Swiss engineering giant ABB in a deal valued at $5.4 billion. The move marks a major step by SoftBank’s founder and CEO Masayoshi Son to expand further into the robotics sector, signalling renewed investment activity after a period of strategic slowdown.
SoftBank, known for its ventures in robotics through projects such as the humanoid robot Pepper, also holds stakes in companies like Berkshire Grey and AutoStore. This latest acquisition underscores its growing focus on artificial intelligence, automation, and next-generation technologies.
For ABB, the sale represents a shift in strategy. The company had previously planned to spin off and publicly list its industrial automation division, which competes with global players such as Japan’s Fanuc and Yaskawa, as well as Germany’s Kuka. The decision to sell to SoftBank is the first major move under CEO Morten Wierod, who assumed leadership last year.
In a statement, Wierod said, “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.” He added, “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.”
Following the announcement, ABB’s shares rose by about 3 percent in pre-market trading in Zurich, while SoftBank’s shares climbed around 1 percent in afternoon trading, although they remained slightly lower compared to the previous day’s close.
ABB’s robotics business, which employs approximately 7,000 people, generated $2.3 billion in revenue last year, accounting for 7 percent of ABB’s total income. The sale is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026, generating around $5.3 billion in cash proceeds. ABB stated that the funds would be used to support long-term capital plans, including investments in growth, acquisitions, and shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks.
The division has faced challenges due to reduced demand in Asia, where companies have delayed capital investments amid economic uncertainty. According to the International Federation of Robotics, global new installations remained steady at around 542,000 units in 2024.
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