# SoftBank to Acquire ABB’s Industrial Robotics Business for $5.4B, Accelerating Push into AI-Driven Automation

October 8, 2025 (Tokyo/Zurich) – In a strategic move to bolster its AI and robotics portfolio, SoftBank Group Corp. has agreed to acquire the robotics division of Swiss-Swedish engineering firm ABB Ltd. for approximately $5.4 billion. This acquisition underscores SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son's vision of merging artificial intelligence with physical robotics to usher in the era of Physical AI.

“By integrating ABB’s robotics expertise with our AI capabilities, we aim to lead the next wave of intelligent automation,” said [SoftBank Executive/Spokesperson]. “This acquisition is a significant step in realizing our vision of artificial superintelligence.”

The ABB robotics unit, which employs around 7,000 people and generated $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024, produces industrial and collaborative robots along with related software and systems. The deal is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026, pending regulatory approvals in key markets, including the European Union, China, and the United States.

Key Highlights

• Deal Value: Approximately $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s robotics division

• Strategic Synergy: Combines ABB’s industrial robotics expertise with SoftBank’s AI and computing ambitions

• Focus Areas: Advanced manufacturing, logistics automation, and intelligent service robots

• Global Expansion: Strengthens SoftBank’s robotics presence across Europe, Asia, and North America

• Innovation Vision: Accelerates the development of human–machine collaboration through AI integration

Industry analysts view this acquisition as a pivotal development in the global robotics landscape, potentially reshaping competition among leading automation companies.

“SoftBank’s acquisition of ABB’s robotics unit signals a powerful convergence of AI and industrial automation,” commented [Industry Analyst Name]. “It could redefine how robotics evolves in factories, warehouses, and beyond.”