Japanese investment conglomerate SoftBank Group is acquiring robotics companies as the financial giant claims physical AI is the next frontier.
SoftBank announced Wednesday that it has acquired the robotics division of Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB Group for $5.375 billion. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. According to a press release, SoftBank expects the deal to close in mid-to-late 2026. ABB Group said division head Sami Atiyah will leave the company after the acquisition is completed.
ABB’s robotics business employs around 7,000 people and sells a range of robots and equipment designed for tasks such as picking, cleaning and painting. The company generated revenue of $2.3 billion in 2024, accounting for 7% of ABB’s overall revenue. ABB announced plans to spin out its robotics group in April.
SoftBank said it hopes the spinoff of ABB’s robotics division can “rekindle” sales. The organization had revenue of just $2.3 billion in 2024, down from $2.5 billion the year before.
SoftBank has been investing in the robotics field and building up its holdings over the past few years. The company has invested in companies including traditional companies like AutoStore and startups like Skild AI and Agile Robots.
The company also launched its own robotics platform, SoftBank Robotics Group, in 2014.
“SoftBank’s next frontier is physical AI,” SoftBank Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son said in the company’s press release. “Together with ABB Robotics, we will bring together world-class technology and talent under a shared vision of fusing artificial superintelligence and robotics to drive breakthrough advances that move humanity forward.”
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Robotics is one of SoftBank’s four focus areas, along with AI chips, AI data centers, and energy.
SoftBank said in a press release, “The center of the ‘information revolution’ has evolved from personal computers, the Internet, and broadband to smartphones, and we have entered a new stage led by artificial intelligence.” “In this context,[SoftBank Group]has declared its mission to realize artificial superintelligence (ASI) for the advancement of humanity.”
TechCrunch has contacted SoftBank for more information.
