SoftBank Bulks Up Its Robotics Portfolio With ABB Group’s Robotics Unit
Japanese tech and investment giant SoftBank Group is making a bold move in the robotics space. The company announced that it will acquire ABB Group’s robotics unit in a deal valued at $5.375 billion, signaling a strong commitment to what it calls the “physical AI” frontier.
Image Credits:Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg / Getty Images
The acquisition of ABB Group’s robotics unit marks one of SoftBank’s largest steps yet toward integrating artificial intelligence with physical automation. Pending regulatory approval, the deal is expected to close between mid and late 2026, according to the company’s announcement.
Inside The ABB Robotics Acquisition
ABB’s robotics division, based in Zurich, Switzerland, employs around 7,000 people and generated $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024, accounting for 7% of ABB’s overall revenue. The company manufactures a range of industrial robots and automation tools used for painting, cleaning, and precision manufacturing.
SoftBank’s acquisition follows ABB’s earlier decision in April 2025 to spin off the robotics business. Once the deal closes, Sami Atiya, head of the division, will exit ABB, according to the official statement.
SoftBank’s Strategy: From AI To Physical Intelligence
SoftBank has been steadily building its robotics portfolio for nearly a decade. It previously invested in both established automation firms like AutoStore and startups including Skild AI and Agile Robots.
The company also launched its own division, SoftBank Robotics Group, back in 2014 — the home of the humanoid robot Pepper. With the ABB deal, SoftBank is doubling down on its vision to merge Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) with robotics to create what it calls “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,”
said Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group.
What This Means For The Robotics Industry
The move positions SoftBank as a dominant force in the global robotics market, an industry projected to exceed $160 billion by 2030. ABB’s established manufacturing base and advanced robotics technology could give SoftBank the foundation to commercialize physical AI systems across sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and energy.
Analysts say SoftBank’s acquisition may also accelerate competition among tech giants racing to integrate AI into real-world applications — including Tesla’s Optimus, Boston Dynamics, and Nvidia’s robotics initiatives.
SoftBank’s Broader AI Vision
Robotics is now one of four key focus areas for SoftBank, alongside AI chips, AI data centers, and renewable energy.
In a statement, the company said:
“The center of the Information Revolution has evolved from personal computers to smartphones, and has now entered a new phase led by artificial intelligence.”
By combining ABB’s robotics legacy with its own AI ecosystem, SoftBank is positioning itself at the crossroads of automation, intelligence, and innovation — potentially shaping the next decade of human-machine collaboration.
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