ABB will sell its Robotics division to the Japanese financial holding company SoftBank for $5.375 billion, abandoning the plan to spin off the division into a publicly traded company. Shareholders of ABB have approved the offer, considering it more advantageous than the spin-off plan. This acquisition by SoftBank represents a substantial investment in industrial robotics and advanced automation, aiming to achieve physical AI.
The decision to sell the Robotics division to SoftBank, valued at $5.375 billion, deviates from the initial plan announced in April, which involved creating a separate publicly traded company by 2026. The sale to SoftBank will result in a pre-tax accounting gain of approximately $2.4 billion for ABB, allowing the immediate reallocation of proceeds in line with its financial principles.
ABB had been contemplating the future of its robotics division and its role within the group for some time. The growth strategy review had led ABB to announce in April its intention to separate the Robotics division into a listed company operating independently from the second quarter of 2026. However, SoftBank’s offer, which was positively received by shareholders, led to the decision to proceed with the sale.
The Robotics division of ABB, with around 7,000 employees, generated $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024, representing 7% of the total group revenue, with an operating EBITA margin of 12.1%. Following the agreement, ABB will adjust its reporting structure to include three business areas, with the Robotics division classified as “Discontinued Operations” from the fourth quarter of 2025.
SoftBank’s acquisition of ABB’s Robotics division marks a strategic move and expansion for the Japanese financial holding company. Building on its previous ventures in robotics, including the acquisition of Aldebaran Robotics in 2012 and subsequently Boston Dynamics, this acquisition signifies a step towards advancing the field of Physical AI.
In conclusion, ABB’s decision to sell its Robotics division to SoftBank highlights a significant strategic realignment in the robotics industry and symbolizes the convergence of cutting-edge technologies and talent with the aim of pioneering the future of robotics and artificial intelligence.
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