SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire ABB’s industrial robotics division for an estimated enterprise value of approximately $5.4 billion, reflecting the Japanese investment firm’s growing interest in this rapidly expanding sector.
ABB, the Swiss industrial conglomerate, stated in a release that it has abandoned its previous plans to spin off the robotics unit as a standalone public company. The completion of the transaction with SoftBank is expected between mid and late 2026.
In April, ABB had announced its intention to separate the robotics division by 2026, marking a significant strategic decision made by CEO Morten Wierod, who took over the company’s leadership in August of the previous year.