ABB Sells Robotics Division to Japanese Investor

 

ABB has announced the sale of its robotics division to the Japanese Softbank Group for approximately $5.4 billion. Softbank is a tech investor. With this move, ABB abandons its originally planned spin-off of the division as an independent publicly traded company, which was announced in April.

The completion of the sale is expected mid to late 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. According to ABB Chairman Peter Voser, Softbank's offer "reflects the long-term strength of the robotics division" and creates "immediate value for shareholders." ABB CEO Morten Wierod emphasized that Softbank is "an excellent new home for the business and its employees."

Both companies share the belief that the future of the industry lies in the integration of robotics and artificial intelligence.

Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son described the acquisition as part of his vision of "Physical AI"—a new era in which robotics and superintelligence merge.

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