SoftBank Fuels Robotics Ambitions with ABB Unit Acquisition, Eyes 'Physical AI' as Next Frontier

In a significant move poised to reshape the landscape of industrial automation and artificial intelligence, SoftBank has strategically bolstered its burgeoning robotics portfolio with a substantial investment or acquisition involving ABB Group’s robotics unit. This pivotal development, initially reported by TechCrunch, signals SoftBank’s unwavering commitment to the future of intelligent machines, with the Japanese conglomerate explicitly stating that this acquisition will facilitate a deeper dive into robotics, driven by its conviction that "physical AI" represents the next transformative frontier.

SoftBank, known globally for its audacious investments through its Vision Fund, has a well-documented history of backing innovative technologies and disruptive companies. From early stakes in Alibaba to its controversial yet impactful investments in startups like WeWork, the firm has consistently sought to identify and capitalize on nascent technological shifts. Within the realm of AI and robotics, SoftBank has already made headlines with its ownership of Boston Dynamics, famed for its agile humanoid and quadruped robots, and its prior efforts with companion robots