An ABB robot on a production line in the Sony UK Technology Center in Pencoed, UK.
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Softbank group It announced on Monday that it had agreed to the acquisition of the Robotics division of the Swiss engineering firm ABB for $ 5.4 billion, because the Japanese giant wants to strengthen its activities in the field of artificial intelligence.
The deal, which must be approved worldwide by the supervisors, means: ABB Will no longer try to split his robotics activities as a separate listed company.
“The next border of Softbank is physical AI. Together with ABB Robotics, we will unite technology and talent of world class under our shared vision of merging artificial super intelligence and robotics – driving a groundbreaking evolution that will push humanity forward,” said Masayoshi Son, founder of Softbank, in a statement.
Artificial super intelligence, or Asi, is Sons Idea of AI who is smarter 10,000 times than people.
Son has tried to position Softbank at the center of the potential AI tree through investments and acquisitions in various technology areas. Softbank, for example, owns chip designer poor and has a great importance in OpenAI.
Softbank already has some robot -related investments, including Autostore Holdings and Agile Robots.
Morten Wierod, who became CEO of ABB in August 2024, has labeled the spin-off of the company's robotics unit as a strategic move.
ABB said in a statement that the sale “will create immediate value for the shareholders of ABB.” The company said it will use the proceeds of the transaction 'in line with the established principles for capital allocation'.
This is a breaking news story. Come back later for more information.
