SoftBank Group, under the leadership of Masayoshi Son, Japan’s wealthiest individual, has made a significant move by agreeing to acquire ABB Ltd.’s robotics unit for $5.4 billion. This strategic acquisition reflects SoftBank’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Masayoshi Son emphasized that SoftBank’s focus is now on “physical AI,” stating that the collaboration with ABB Robotics will bring together top-tier technologies and talent to merge artificial super intelligence with robotics, driving forward a revolutionary evolution for humanity.
The completion of the acquisition is anticipated by mid to late 2026. Earlier this year, SoftBank established Robo HD, a holding company encompassing its robotics assets. Notably, over a dozen portfolio companies, including Agile Robots SE and Skild AI, were transferred to Robo HD, indicating Masayoshi Son’s reinvigorated interest in the robotics sector. While SoftBank previously introduced Pepper, a humanoid robot in 2014, production ceased due to diminishing demand. Additionally, SoftBank is actively involved in technologies geared towards enhancing industrial automation and logistics.
In response to the acquisition, ABB CEO Morten Wierod expressed confidence in SoftBank as the new steward for their robotics business, recognizing the shared vision of both companies regarding the AI-driven future of robotics. ABB’s robotics division, with 7,000 employees across manufacturing centers in China, the US, and Sweden, reported $313 million in EBITDA on $2.3 billion revenue in 2024, a slight decline from the previous year. Masayoshi Son, with a net worth of $67.4 billion according to Forbes real-time data, is directing substantial investments towards AI, including participation in the $500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure initiative in the United States in collaboration with OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX.
About the Author
