The strategic transfer of ABB Robotics: How SoftBank will unite industrial automation with physical artificial intelligence.
The tech world has been shaken by the news. On October 8, 2025, ABB announced it is selling its Robotics division to SoftBank Group. The deal value is impressive – $5.375 billion. This marks an important moment for the industry. The deal changes ABB's plans to spin off the business as a standalone company. Completion is expected in mid-to-late 2026.
Why SoftBank? A combination for the future
ABB's management carefully evaluated the offer. They consider SoftBank an excellent new home for the business and its employees. CEO Morten Wierod highlights the shared vision. Both companies see the world entering a new era of AI-based robotics.
Combining ABB's leading technology with SoftBank's cutting-edge AI capabilities will strengthen the business's position. Masayoshi Son of SoftBank Group said that the next frontier is physical artificial intelligence. They will bring together world-class technologies and talent. The goal is to merge artificial superintelligence and robotics. This will drive pioneering evolution forward.
What does this mean for ABB?
The asset sale creates immediate value for ABB shareholders. The company will use the proceeds from the deal in line with its established capital allocation principles.
Peter Voser, ABB's chairman, said the focus remains on the long-term strategy. ABB will continue to concentrate on its leading positions in electrification and automation.
Long-term vision: A focus on electrification and automation
Despite the sale, ABB's strategic goals remain strong. The company is a global technology leader in electrification and automation. These sectors are at the heart of a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digital expertise, ABB helps industries perform better. The aim is for them to be high-performing, efficient and sustainable. With this sale, ABB divests a business with limited synergies and focuses its resources. It will concentrate on its remaining core activities.
Financial and structural changes
The deal changes ABB's reporting. From the fourth quarter of 2025, Robotics will be reported as “Discontinued operations”. The “Machine Automation” division is moving and will become part of the “Process Automation” business area.
The sale is worth $5.375 billion. A non-operating pre-tax gain of $2.4 billion is expected. ABB Robotics has around 7,000 employees. Its 2024 revenue was $2.3 billion.
What does the deal mean for the future of the industry?
This large-scale deal is not just a financial transaction. It's a strategic realignment that will reshape the market for industrial automation. The two companies share a common vision of the future, focused on AI-based robotics.
For ABB: Focus and financial strength
For ABB, the sale is an expression of strategic focus. The company is parting with a business that has limited synergies. ABB is strengthening its commitment to electrification and automation. The proceeds give the company a powerful capital advantage.
For SoftBank: A leader in "Physical AI"
For SoftBank Group, this deal is a springboard. It gains one of the most established players in industrial robotics. By combining ABB's capabilities with its own AI expertise, it will accelerate the development of intelligent robots. SoftBank is positioning itself as a key driver of the new AI-based era of robotics.
For the industry: Accelerated innovation
The deal is likely to lead to faster innovation in robotics. It creates a strong player dedicated to merging AI with complex mechanical systems. The new alliance is expected to bring to market robots that are smarter, more flexible and easier to deploy.
The sale of ABB Robotics to SoftBank is the beginning of a new, strongly AI-focused chapter in industrial automation.
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