SoftBank Secures ABB’s Robotics Unit in $5.4 Billion Strategic Sweep
Japanese tech investment giant SoftBank Group has announced plans to acquire the robotics division of Swiss engineering firm ABB for $5.4 billion. The deal marks a renewed push into robotics by SoftBank’s Chief Executive Masayoshi Son, who has recently embarked on a new phase of investment expansion, Reuters reports.
ABB had previously considered spinning off its robotics business as a publicly listed entity but ultimately decided to sell it to SoftBank instead. The move represents the first major strategic decision under ABB’s new CEO, Morten Wierod.
“The world is now entering an era of AI-driven robotics, and together, SoftBank and ABB can lead this new age,” said Wierod.
The robotics unit currently employs around 7,000 people and generated $2.3 billion in revenue last year, accounting for about 7% of ABB’s total income. The transaction is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
