In a landmark move for the robotics and automation industry, SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire ABB’s Robotics division for $5.38 billion, marking one of the largest robotics deals in recent years.
The acquisition will see ABB reorganize its reporting structure as part of the transition, signaling a strategic shift away from direct robotics operations to focus on its broader automation and electrification businesses.
Strengthening SoftBank’s ‘Physical AI’ strategy
For SoftBank, the deal represents a major step in its “Physical AI” initiative — a vision to merge artificial intelligence with robotics and automation across industrial, logistics, and consumer applications.
The acquisition of ABB Robotics, one of the world’s top industrial robot manufacturers, positions SoftBank as a central player in the next generation of intelligent robotics, combining AI-driven software with industrial-grade hardware.
This follows SoftBank’s earlier robotics investments, including Boston Dynamics, Bear Robotics, and AutoStore, highlighting its intent to dominate the convergence of AI, robotics, and automation.
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ABB focuses on automation and electrification
ABB, based in Zurich, Switzerland, said the sale aligns with its plan to simplify its business and focus on its core divisions in electrification, motion, and process automation.
The company will retain its automation software and digital twin technologies, which are integral to smart factory systems and industrial efficiency solutions.
The sale of the robotics arm, which has long been a cornerstone of ABB’s industrial offering, underscores a broader restructuring trend among legacy industrial giants adapting to the AI-driven future.
A new era for robotics innovation
The acquisition gives SoftBank access to ABB’s vast portfolio of industrial and collaborative robots, including systems used in automotive, electronics, and logistics manufacturing.
By integrating ABB’s technology with its AI ecosystem, SoftBank aims to deliver autonomous manufacturing systems, adaptive robotic assembly, and real-world AI deployment at scale.
Industry analysts say the deal could accelerate the shift toward more AI-native industrial automation, especially as factories across Europe and Asia adopt smarter robotics systems to address labor shortages and sustainability goals.
About ABB Robotics
A division of the Swiss industrial technology giant ABB Group, ABB Robotics has been a global leader in industrial automation for over four decades. The company’s robots are deployed in 53 countries, serving industries from automotive to logistics, and supporting the transition toward sustainable manufacturing.
About SoftBank Group
SoftBank Group Corp. is a Japan-based multinational holding company investing in AI, robotics, and next-generation infrastructure. Led by Masayoshi Son, SoftBank has been a key investor in transformative technologies, from semiconductors to automation, with a long-term vision of enabling a world powered by intelligent machines and connected systems.
