ABB Robotics shifts gears in acquisition by SoftBank

Plan to spin off ABB’s robotics division reversed by AI-focused group’s $5.4 billion acquisition offer

Oct. 9, 2025

3 min read

ABB's robot YuMi, the world's first truly collaborative two-arm robot.

ABB has signed an agreement to divest its robotics division to SoftBank Group for $5.4 billion and not pursue its earlier intention to spin off the business as a separately listed company. In April, ABB Chairman Peter Voser indicated the company's intention for the robotics business to start trading as a separately listed company during the second quarter of 2026.

“SoftBank’s offer has been carefully evaluated by the board and executive committee and compared with our original intention for a spin-off,” explained Voser. “It reflects the long-term strengths of the division, and the divestment will create immediate value to ABB shareholders. ABB will use the proceeds from the transaction in line with its well-established capital allocation principles. Our ambitions for ABB are unchanged, and we will continue to focus on our long-term strategy, building on our leading positions in electrification and automation.”

ABB has seen the advantages of artificial intelligence in robotics applications, exemplified by its investment in LandingAI vision AI for the ABB Robotics software suite.

“SoftBank will be an excellent new home for the business and its employees,” added ABB CEO Morten Wierod. “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.”

ABB Robotics brings an establish ecosystem of partners, including the recent collaboration with Regal Rexnord to simplify integration of its GoFa collaborative robots (cobots) into 7th axis cobot transfer units (CTUs).

“SoftBank’s next frontier is physical AI,” said Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group. “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.”

Recent collaborations with Cosmic Buildings to enable rebuilding in areas devastated by the 2025 southern Californian wildfires and BurgerBots to serve fast food at a new restaurant concept in Los Gatos, California, are two examples of ABB’s robots interacting in human environments.

As a result of the signing of the agreement with SoftBank, ABB will adjust its reporting structure and move to three business areas. As of the fourth quarter 2025, the Robotics division will be reported as discontinued operations. At the same time, the Machine Automation division, which together with ABB Robotics currently forms the Robotics & Discrete Automation business area, will become a part of the Process Automation business area.

The ABB Robotics division has a workforce of approximately 7,000. With 2024 revenues of $2.3 billion it represented about 7% of ABB Group revenues and had an operational EBITA margin of 12%.

The most recent robotics report from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) shows the United States lagging behind China for industrial factory implementations.