SoftBank to acquire ABB’s robotics business for $5.38B

SoftBank Group Corp. (SFTBY) announced that on October 8, it entered into a definitive agreement with ABB Ltd (ABBNY) to acquire ABB’s robotics business for a total purchase price of $5.375B. The Acquisition has been approved by SBG’s Board of Directors and remains subject to customary regulatory approvals including in the European Union, China, and the United States, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. SBG expects the Acquisition to close in mid-to-late 2026. Following the Acquisition, the robotics platform, expertise, and existing local footprint will be complemented by the technological foundations of SBG’s existing robotics-related investments-SoftBank Robotics Group Corp., Berkshire Grey, Inc., AutoStore Holdings Ltd., Agile Robots SE, and Skild AI, Inc., among others-to accelerate innovation in AI robotics and drive progress and growth toward the realization of ASI, SoftBank said. ABB will carve out its robotics business into a newly established holding company. SBG plans to acquire, through a subsidiary, all shares of this holding company from ABB for a total purchase price of $5.375B. As a result, this holding company will become a subsidiary of SBG. Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO, SoftBank Group Corp., 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.”