SoftBank, the Japanese tech investment giant, has announced the acquisition of ABB’s robotics division in a landmark $5.4 billion deal, marking one of the largest-ever transactions in the industrial automation sector and a major escalation in the global race to fuse artificial intelligence with physical robotics[2][4][6]. The transaction, announced in early October 2025, signals a strategic pivot for both companies: SoftBank is doubling down on its vision of “Physical AI,” while ABB is exiting a business that had faced years of declining profitability and sales[2][6].
The deal brings together ABB’s globally recognized industria...
The deal brings together ABB’s globally recognized industrial robotics expertise—boasting a 13% share of the worldwide market and a workforce of around 7,000—with SoftBank’s deep investments in AI infrastructure, next-generation computing, and robotics startups[1][4]. ABB Robotics, known for its high-precision robotic arms used in factories worldwide, generated $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024, accounting for about 7% of ABB Group’s total income[4]. For ABB, the sale represents a clean break from its earlier plan to spin off the robotics unit as a separately listed company, a strategy abandoned in favor of this outright sale[2][3][6].
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son framed the acquisition as central...
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son framed the acquisition as central to the company’s ambition to lead the next wave of industrial innovation. “SoftBank’s next frontier is Physical AI,” Son said in a statement. “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.”[3][4][5] The move is seen as a direct challenge to rivals like Japan’s FANUC and Yaskawa, as well as Germany’s Kuka, in the fiercely competitive market for factory automation[1][2].
The transaction is expected to close in mid- to late 2026, p...
The transaction is expected to close in mid- to late 2026, pending regulatory approvals worldwide[4][5]. ABB anticipates net cash proceeds of approximately $5.3 billion after separation costs, which it plans to allocate according to its capital allocation framework[3][5]. For SoftBank, the deal is the latest in a series of high-profile bets on AI and robotics, following investments in OpenAI, chip designer Arm, and logistics robotics firms like AutoStore and Berkshire Grey[2][5]. The company has also pledged at least $100 billion to a U.S. AI infrastructure project and recently partnered with Intel on a $70 million AI memory initiative in Japan[4][5].
Industry analysts see the acquisition as a bold attempt to c...
Industry analysts see the acquisition as a bold attempt to capture leadership in a market projected to grow from $221.6 billion in 2025 to $325.5 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate nearing 8%[1]. By integrating ABB’s industrial robotics with its own AI and computing capabilities, SoftBank aims to create intelligent, adaptive systems capable of transforming manufacturing, logistics, and beyond[1][4]. However, the deal is not without risks: regulatory hurdles and the challenge of merging two corporate cultures and technology stacks could complicate integration[1].
For ABB, the sale allows the Swiss-Swedish engineering group...
For ABB, the sale allows the Swiss-Swedish engineering group to focus on its core electrification and motion businesses, while delivering immediate value to shareholders after a period of lackluster performance in robotics[2][6]. The decision also marks the first major strategic move by ABB CEO Morten Wierod, who took the helm in 2024[2][6]. “ABB and SoftBank share the same perspective that the world is entering a new era of AI-based robotics and believe that the division and SoftBank’s robotics offering can best shape this era together,” Wierod said[6].
The broader implications of the deal are significant. It acc...
The broader implications of the deal are significant. It accelerates the convergence of AI and industrial robotics, a trend often referred to as “Industry 4.0,” and could set a new benchmark for how tech investors and industrial giants collaborate in the age of artificial intelligence[1][4]. As SoftBank and ABB prepare for integration, the global manufacturing sector will be watching closely to see if this union can deliver on its promise of intelligent, autonomous systems that redefine productivity and innovation.
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 2:20:56 PM
SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s robotics division significantly reshapes the competitive landscape of AI-driven industrial automation by combining ABB’s 13% global robotics market share with SoftBank’s AI infrastructure, aiming to outpace rivals such as FANUC, Siemens, Yaskawa, and Kuka[2][4]. ABB’s unit, generating $2.3 billion in 2024 revenue and employing 7,000 people, will integrate with SoftBank’s AI ecosystem, advancing the “Physical AI” vision to create adaptive, intelligent robotic systems in a market projected to reach $325.5 billion by 2030[1][2]. ABB CEO Morten Wierod emphasized that “ABB Robotic
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 2:31:23 PM
SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics significantly reshapes the competitive landscape in industrial automation by combining ABB’s 13% global robotics market share with SoftBank’s AI expertise. This integration aims to outpace key rivals like Japan’s Fanuc, Yaskawa, and Germany’s Kuka by leveraging SoftBank’s AI investments, including OpenAI and Arm Holdings, to accelerate the growth of the projected $325 billion robotics market by 2030. ABB’s CEO Morten Wierod highlighted the shared vision, stating the merger will "best shape this era together" of AI-based robotics, marking a strategic pivot from ABB’s prior spin-off plan and strengthening SoftBank’s position in the rapidly evolving “Physica
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 2:41:05 PM
SoftBank's announcement to acquire ABB Robotics for $5.4 billion sparked a positive market reaction, with SoftBank's shares rising by approximately 3% in early trading on Wednesday, reflecting investor confidence in the AI-driven expansion strategy. ABB’s stock also saw a modest uptick near 1.5%, as the divestment was seen as a move to unlock shareholder value amid the robotics unit’s recent struggles[2][4][6]. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son emphasized this deal as a leap into "Physical AI," signaling strong market endorsement of SoftBank's vision to unite AI and robotics technologies[4].
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 2:51:13 PM
**NEWS UPDATE**
SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics—announced October 8, 2025—is sparking intense public debate, with social media traction surging as #PhysicalAI trends globally; online forums show a split, with tech enthusiasts praising the “groundbreaking evolution” toward AI-powered industrial robots, while labor groups voice concerns over potential job displacement given ABB Robotics’ 11,000-strong workforce across 53 countries[6]. Consumer advocacy organizations are calling for transparency, demanding details on how SoftBank’s AI integration will affect product safety and data privacy in everyday applications, even as ABB’s collaborative robots like YuMi are already deployed in hospitals and smart cities[
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 3:01:36 PM
Following SoftBank's announcement of its $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB's robotics division, SoftBank shares (OTC: SFTBY) experienced a notable uplift, rising approximately 3.2% in early trading on October 8, 2025, reflecting investor enthusiasm for the company's expanded AI and robotics ambitions[2][6]. ABB's stock (OTC: ABBNY) showed a modest decline of about 1.1%, as the market digested the end of ABB's spin-off plans and the immediate cash influx of $5.3 billion from the sale, signaling mixed investor reactions to the strategic pivot[2][6]. CEO Masayoshi Son framed the acquisition as a step toward
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 3:11:20 PM
In a significant development, SoftBank Group Corp. has announced its acquisition of ABB's robotics division for $5.4 billion, marking a strategic push into the AI-driven robotics market[1][2]. This deal aligns with SoftBank's vision for "Physical AI," as outlined by CEO Masayoshi Son, who aims to fuse advanced AI with robotics to drive innovation[3][4]. The acquisition is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026, pending regulatory approvals, and will bolster SoftBank's position in the rapidly growing AI ecosystem[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 3:21:11 PM
Consumer and public reaction to SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics has been mixed but generally optimistic about the future of AI-driven automation. Industry analysts highlight the deal’s potential to accelerate the integration of AI and robotics in everyday applications, with one expert noting that SoftBank’s move “positions the company at the forefront of the AI-robotics market projected to reach $124.77 billion by 2030”[2]. However, some voices express concerns about the impact on labor markets and ethical governance in AI deployment, reflecting ongoing public debate over automation’s societal effects[1].
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 3:31:24 PM
Following SoftBank’s announcement to acquire ABB Robotics for $5.4 billion, SoftBank’s shares surged by approximately 4.7% on Tokyo’s stock exchange, reflecting investor optimism about the company's deepened AI and robotics strategy[7]. Conversely, ABB’s stock edged up modestly by around 1.5%, as the divestment is expected to generate $5.3 billion in cash proceeds and a $2.4 billion pre-tax book gain, reassuring shareholders of improved capital allocation[3][7]. Masayoshi Son emphasized the strategic significance, stating, "SoftBank’s next frontier is Physical AI," which likely bolstered market confidence in the acquisition’s long-term value[7].
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 3:41:13 PM
**Update 1:**
SoftBank announced on October 8, 2025, it will acquire ABB’s global robotics division for $5.375 billion enterprise value, instantly securing a 13% global market share in industrial robotics and integrating over 7,000 ABB robotics employees as part of its “Physical AI” strategy, which directly targets the $221.64 billion industrial automation sector projected to grow at a 7.99% CAGR to $325.51 billion by 2030[1][2]. ABB’s robotics business reported $2.3 billion in revenue for 2024, and the unit will be carved out into a new holding company pending regulatory approvals in the EU, US, and China
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 3:51:27 PM
SoftBank has agreed to acquire ABB's robotics division for $5.4 billion to accelerate its "Physical AI" strategy, integrating advanced AI with ABB’s industrial and collaborative robotics hardware like the GoFa and YuMi models[2][4]. This fusion aims to create adaptive, autonomous systems for sectors including logistics and healthcare, positioning SoftBank to capitalize on the AI-driven robotics market projected to grow at a 38.5% CAGR, reaching $124.77 billion by 2030[2]. CEO Masayoshi Son emphasized this deal as a critical step toward building "super intelligence" infrastructure that merges SoftBank’s AI compute investments—such as the $500 billion Stargate initiative and $30 billion in OpenAI fundin
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 4:01:24 PM
SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics significantly shifts the competitive landscape by merging ABB’s 13% global robotics market share with SoftBank’s extensive AI infrastructure, aiming to outpace rivals like FANUC, Siemens, Amazon, and Google in the industrial automation sector[2][3][4]. This deal accelerates SoftBank’s "Physical AI" vision by integrating advanced AI with established industrial robotics hardware, positioning it as a leading end-to-end provider in a market projected to grow to $325.51 billion by 2030 with a CAGR near 8%[2][5]. CEO Masayoshi Son emphasized this strategic frontier, stating, “SoftBank’s next frontier is Physical AI,” unders
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 4:11:45 PM
**Update on SoftBank's Acquisition of ABB Robotics**: The $5.4 billion deal to acquire ABB's robotics division is awaiting regulatory approvals from the EU, US, and China, with an expected closure in mid-to-late 2026[4][7]. As regulatory bodies review the acquisition, SoftBank is poised to integrate ABB's hardware with its AI ecosystem, aligning with its goal of creating "super intelligence" infrastructure[2][8]. The acquisition's impact on the global AI-driven robotics market is significant, with projections indicating a 38.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by 2030[2].
🔄 Updated: 10/8/2025, 4:21:41 PM
SoftBank's $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics is currently under regulatory review and expected to close in mid-to-late 2026, pending approvals in key markets including the EU, US, and China. The deal, which SoftBank calls a cornerstone of its "Physical AI" strategy, has not yet faced published governmental objections, but regulators are closely monitoring it due to its potential to reshape the global AI-robotics competitive landscape[1][3][4]. SoftBank's spokesperson emphasized the importance of the acquisition, stating it "significantly strengthens our ability to lead in AI robotics at a global scale," indicating anticipation of regulatory clearance as vital for completing the transaction[1].