SoftBank to buy ABB’s robotics unit in USD5.4b deal
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The news: SoftBank Group has agreed to buy ABB’s industrial robotics unit as Masayoshi Son doubles down on AI and a surge in data centre construction.
The numbers: The deal values ABB’s robotics business at USD5.4 billion ($8.2 billion), SoftBank said on Wednesday. Shares in ABB rose as much as 3.3% to a record high in Zurich on Wednesday morning local time and are up around 20% over the past 12 months. SoftBank shares dropped 2% on the news.
The ABB robotics division has around 7,000 employees. ABB’s 2024 revenues reached USD2.3 billion, representing about 7% of ABB Group revenues.
The context: The deal signifies a push into robotics by SoftBank, which said that as part of its mission to realise “artificial super intelligence for the advancement of humanity”, it is actively investing and expanding its businesses across four areas: AI chips, AI robots, AI data centres and energy. It is also investing in companies leading generative AI developments.
SoftBank has previously invested in Berkshire Grey, AutoStore and Agile Robots, and has ploughed tens of billions into OpenAI.
The deal is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026 and ABB said that the money from the transaction will be used toward its long term capital allocation principles including investing in organic growth, acquisitions and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.
The sale to SoftBank means that ABB abandoned its plans announced in April to spin off the robotics business.
What they said: Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO, SoftBank 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.”
Morten Wierod, CEO, ABB, 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. ABB Robotics will benefit from the combination of its leading technology and deep industry expertise with SoftBank’s state-of-the-art 4 capabilities in AI, robotics and next-generation computing. This will allow the business to strengthen and expand its position as a technology leader in its field.”
The sources: SoftBank press release, ABB
