SoftBank Group Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement with ABB Ltd. to acquire the Swiss company’s robotics business for $5.4. The deal, approved by SoftBank’s Board of Directors, remains subject to customary regulatory approvals in the European Union, China, and the United States, and is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026. As part of the transaction, ABB will carve out its robotics division into a new holding company, which will become a wholly owned subsidiary of SoftBank upon completion.
The acquisition is a major cross-border transaction in the automation and AI sectors, signaling SoftBank’s continued investment in robotics following prior stakes in companies such as AutoStore Holdings and Berkshire Grey. For ABB, the divestiture reflects an ongoing strategy to streamline operations around its core electrification and motion businesses. Given the size and global scope of the deal, the transaction is expected to face detailed antitrust and foreign investment reviews, with legal teams navigating complex multi-jurisdictional regulatory processes through 2026.
