SoftBank Bets $5.4 Billion on AI-Powered Robotics
▼ Summary
– SoftBank is acquiring ABB’s robotics division for $5.4 billion to re-enter the robotics business after its previous robot Pepper failed.
– The acquisition, pending regulatory approval, strengthens SoftBank’s robotics portfolio, which includes stakes in companies like Skild and AutoStore Holdings.
– Robotics has become a new priority for SoftBank, with founder Masayoshi Son calling “Physical AI” the company’s next frontier.
– Son described this move as a “groundbreaking evolution” aimed at advancing humanity through robotics.
– Robots are one of four strategic areas SoftBank is investing in to dominate AI, alongside chips, data centers, and generative AI companies.
SoftBank is making a massive $5.4 billion wager on the future of robotics, signaling a powerful return to the hardware side of artificial intelligence. The Japanese conglomerate has moved to acquire the robotics division of ABB, a deal pending regulatory approval that would significantly expand its portfolio in automated systems. This strategic purchase underscores a renewed commitment to building intelligent machines, even after earlier ventures like the emotionally-aware Pepper robot failed to gain lasting traction.
The acquisition positions SoftBank more prominently within the industrial robotics landscape, complementing its existing investments in firms such as Skild, AutoStore Holdings, and Agile Robots. Founder Masayoshi Son has declared “Physical AI” as the company’s next major frontier, framing it as a revolutionary development with the potential to dramatically advance human progress. This vision represents a fundamental shift in how AI integrates with the physical world, moving beyond purely digital applications.
For SoftBank, robotics now stands as one of four core strategic pillars in its ambitious plan to achieve dominance in the broader AI sector. The company is channeling substantial resources not only into intelligent machines but also into semiconductor technology, data center infrastructure, and energy solutions. This comprehensive strategy also includes backing companies that are pioneers in generative AI, illustrating a multifaceted approach to capturing value across the entire AI ecosystem. The substantial financial commitment highlights a belief that the next wave of AI innovation will require a tight integration of software intelligence with physical robotic platforms.
(Source: The Verge)
