Japanese multinational conglomerate SoftBank Group has made a bold move to strengthen its presence in the robotics industry, announcing the acquisition of ABB Group’s robotics division in a deal valued at $5.375 billion.

The Zurich-based ABB robotics unit, which employs approximately 7,000 people, specializes in developing and selling robotic systems for industrial functions such as painting, cleaning, and automated picking. In 2024, the business generated $2.3 billion in revenue, accounting for 7% of ABB’s total income. ABB had revealed plans earlier in April to spin off its robotics arm, paving the way for this acquisition.

According to ABB, Sami Atiya, head of the division, will step down upon completion of the transaction, which remains subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close by mid-to-late 2026.

SoftBank, led by Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son, described the acquisition as part of its broader mission to fuse Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) with physical robotics. “SoftBank’s next frontier is physical AI,” Son said in a statement. “Together with ABB Robotics, we will unite world-class technology and talent under our shared vision to drive a groundbreaking evolution that propels humanity forward.”

This purchase marks another step in SoftBank’s increasing investment in robotics and artificial intelligence. Over the past few years, the conglomerate has invested in established players such as AutoStore and emerging startups including Skild AI and Agile Robots. The company also operates its own robotics division, SoftBank Robotics Group, founded in 2014.

Robotics now sits among SoftBank’s four strategic pillars, alongside AI chips, AI data centers, and energy. The firm says the world has entered a new phase of the “Information Revolution,” one that extends beyond smartphones into the realm of artificial intelligence.

“In this context,” SoftBank stated, “our mission is to realize artificial super intelligence for the advancement of humanity.”

Source: Techcrunch