Japan-based SoftBank Group Corp. announced Wednesday that it has entered into a definitive agreement with ABB Ltd, a global technology electrification and automation firm, to acquire ABB’s robotics business for a total purchase price of $5.38 billion.

Softbank said in a statement the acquisition is part of its strategy to boost its artificial intelligence (AI) and is expected to significantly strengthen its AI robotics business.

It noted ABB’s robotics business is a globally recognized brand, known for its reliability and high performance, supported by extensive sales channels and customer relationships.

It opined that Softbank is well-positioned to reignite the robotics business’s growth, particularly through investment in cutting-edge technologies such as AI.

According to the firm, the center of the “Information Revolution” has evolved from personal computers, the Internet, and broadband to smartphones, and has now entered a new phase led by AI.

In this context, Softbank has declared its mission to realize artificial super intelligence (ASI) for the advancement of humanity.

As part of this mission, Softbank is actively investing and expanding its businesses in four essential areas: (i) AI chips, (ii) AI robots, (iii) AI data centers, and (iv) energy, as well as investing in companies at the forefront of generative AI.

Following the acquisition, the robotics platform, expertise, and existing local footprint will be complemented by the technological foundations of Softbank’s existing robotics-related investments—SoftBank Robotics Group Corp., Berkshire Grey, Inc., AutoStore Holdings Ltd., Agile Robots SE, and Skild AI, Inc., among others—to accelerate innovation in AI robotics and drive progress and growth toward the realization of ASI.

“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,” said Masayoshi Son, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, SoftBank Group Corp.

Morten Wierod, Chief Executive Officer, ABB, said SoftBank will be an excellent new home for the business and its employees.

He noted that 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.

“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,” he added.

It is noted that ABB will carve out its robotics business into a newly established holding company.

Softbank plans to acquire, through a subsidiary, all shares of this holding company from ABB.

As a result, this holding company will become a subsidiary of Softbank.

Softbank also said the acquisition has been approved by its Board of Directors and remains subject to customary regulatory approvals including in the European Union, China, and the United States, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

It expects the acquisition to close in mid-to-late 2026.

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