Details
⚙️ Robots made in Zurich, vision made in Tokyo: SoftBank is acquiring the robotics division of Swiss conglomerate ABB, which develops industrial robots for assembly, painting, and precision manufacturing. All of these areas will soon be tightly integrated with AI.
🏠7,000 employees, 2.3 billion in revenue: ABB Robotics contributes about 7% of the group’s total revenue. The deal is valued at roughly 5.4 billion USD.
🧠 “Physical AI” in focus: SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son wants to merge artificial intelligence with real-world mechanics. His vision: “Artificial Super Intelligence” that’s 10,000 times smarter than humans.
đź’° Robots out, returns in: ABB plans to reinvest the proceeds into its electrification and automation divisions. Shares rose slightly following the announcement.
🦾 SoftBank’s second shot: After the flop of its humanoid robot “Pepper,” Son is betting on robotics again—this time with an industrial focus. Previous investments like AutoStore and Agile Robots laid the groundwork.
Big Picture
The deal strengthens SoftBank’s position in industrial automation and shows Japan’s determination to stay ahead in merging machinery with data. ABB, meanwhile, doubles down on its core business and gains fresh capital for growth and acquisitions.
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