Japan's SoftBank to buy ABB's robotics business for $5.4bn

(Sharecast News) - Japan's SoftBank said on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy the robotics business of Swiss engineering company ABB for $5.4bn. The deal, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals, is expected to close in mid to late 2026.

SoftBank chairman and chief executive Masayoshi Son 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."

ABB CEO Morten Wierod said SoftBank will be "an excellent new home" for the business and its employees.

"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," he said.

"ABB Robotics will benefit from the combination of its leading technology and deep industry expertise with SoftBank's state-of-the-art capabilities in AI, robotics and next-generation computing. This will allow the business to strengthen and expand its position as a technology leader in its field."

ABB had previously been looking to spin off the robotics business as a separately listed company.