TLDR: SoftBank Group, under CEO Masayoshi Son, is significantly expanding its footprint in artificial intelligence and robotics, highlighted by the recent $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s robotics business. This move is part of a broader strategy to invest heavily in ‘Physical AI’ and other AI-related ventures, including substantial funding for OpenAI and the acquisition of chip design firm Ampere.
Tokyo, Japan – October 11, 2025 – SoftBank Group, led by its visionary CEO Masayoshi Son, is making aggressive strides into the future of artificial intelligence and robotics, marked by a series of multi-billion dollar investments and acquisitions. The latest significant move, announced on October 8, 2025, is the acquisition of Swiss engineering group ABB’s robotics business for approximately $5.4 billion. This strategic purchase is a cornerstone of SoftBank’s renewed focus on what Son terms ‘Physical AI’ – the fusion of robotics and artificial intelligence.
The acquisition of ABB’s robotics unit is expected to finalize by mid-to-late 2026. For ABB, the divestiture allows it to concentrate on its core businesses of electrification and automation, with plans to reinvest the proceeds into new technology, production capacity, and potential future acquisitions. The robotics division, which employs 7,000 people across manufacturing hubs in China, the U.S., and Sweden, reported $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024.
Masayoshi Son emphasized the strategic importance of this direction, stating, “SoftBank’s next frontier is Physical AI.” This vision underscores a broader investment spree by the Japanese conglomerate. Beyond the ABB deal, SoftBank has been a major player in the AI landscape, notably leading a $40 billion funding round in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI. The company’s total commitment to OpenAI now stands at $32 billion since autumn 2024. Additionally, SoftBank acquired the U.S. chip designer Ampere for $6.5 billion in March 2025, further solidifying its position in critical AI infrastructure.
These investments are part of a larger initiative, including SoftBank’s participation in the ambitious $500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure project in the U.S., in partnership with OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX. This extensive capital deployment reflects Son’s deep conviction in the transformative power of AI. Earlier this year, SoftBank also established Robo HD, a new holding company to consolidate its robotics assets, signaling a renewed interest in the sector after its earlier venture with the humanoid robot Pepper in 2014.
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The aggressive investment strategy has also seen a significant increase in Masayoshi Son’s personal wealth, which surged to a record $38.7 billion, the highest since his net worth began being tracked in 2013. This growth is partly attributed to the booming artificial intelligence sector and SoftBank’s strategic positioning within it. The company continues to invest in technologies aimed at advancing industrial automation and logistics, reinforcing its commitment to shaping the future of AI.
